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tihvavy  of  Che  t:heolo0ical  ^tminavy 

PRINCETON  .  NEW  JERSEY 

FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
ROBERT  ELLIOTT  SPEER 

135(90 


THE   STORY  OF  THE   IMMEDIATE   DISCIPLES 

OF  JESUS  AFTER  HIS  ASCENSION,  AND 

THEIR  LETTERS  TO  THE  EARLY 

CHRISTIANS 


USING  THE  TEXT  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
REVISED  BIBLE 


PREPARED   BY 

THEODORE  G.  SCARES,  SYDNEY  STRtf 
WILLIAM  E.  BARTON 

EDITORS  OF  "HIS  LIFE,"  "HIS  LAST  WEEK," 
"HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE,"  ETC. 


HOPE    PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

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HIS  LIFE 

THE  STORY  OF  JESUS  IN  THE  WORDS  OF 
THE  FOUR  GOSPELS 

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HIS  FRIENDS 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  IMMEDIATE  DISCIPLES 
OF  JESUS  AFTER  HIS  ASCENSION;   AND 
THEIR  LETTERS 

Styles  and  prices  uniform  with   "His  Life. " 


HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

THE  LIFE  AND  LETTERS  OF  PAUL  IN  THE 

WORDS  OF  SCRIPTURE  AND  IN 

CHRONOLOGICAL  ORDER 

Styles    and    prices    uniform    with     "His    Life. 


HIS  LAST  WEEK 

THE   GOSPEL  STORY  OF  THE  PASSION   AND 
RESURRECTION  OF  JESUS 

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6  cents.      50  to  500  copies  5  cents,  postage  prepaid. 

HOPE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
Chicago  and  New  York 


Copyright,  1906,  by  the  Pastors'  Publishing  Union. 
The  Text  of  the  American  Standard  Revised  Bible, 
copyright  1901,  by  Thomas  Nelson  &  Sons,  is  used  by 
special  arrangement  and  with  their  permission. 


PREFACE. 


After  Luke  had  told  the  story  "concerning  all  that 
Jesus  began  both  to  do  and  to  teach,  "  he  was  impelled 
to  continue  his  narration  in  the  story  of  the  first  dis- 
ciples and  of  his  own  great  master,  the  Apostle  Paul. 

Humbly  following  in  the  footsteps  of  the  noble 
evangelist,  the  editors  of  "His  Life,"  encouraged  by 
the  extraordinary  interest  that  has  been  manifested 
in  their  arrangement  of  the  gospel  story,  have  enlarged 
their  work  into  a  series  of  booklets  covering  the  entire 
New  Testament.  The  story  of  Jesus,  "His  Life," 
remains  the  first  of  the  series;  the  life  and  letters  of 
Paul,  "His  Great  Apostle,"  will  be  the  third;  the 
present  volume,  "His  Friends,"  including  the  rest 
of  the  New  Testament,  will  be  the  second. 

The  aim  of  the  series  is  primarily  to  make  the  scrip- 
ture readable  to  the  ordinary  busy  Christian.  The 
story  is  presented  in  the  text  of  the  American  Revision, 
in  modern  paragraph  form,  and  with  the  marks  of 
quotation  to  indicate  speeches  and  excerpts  from  the 
Old  Testament  writings.  Simple  headings  divide  the 
story  into  its  natural  parts.  The  letters  have  been 
arranged  in  a  possible  chronological  order.  Critical 
considerations  have  of  course  been  subordinated. 
No  attempt  at  elaborate  analysis  of  the  letters  has  been 
undertaken.  The  purpose  of  the  work  requires  a 
single  series  of  headings,  but  the  endeavor  has  been 
made  that  they  shall  enable  the  reader  to  carry  the 
general  progress  of  the  thought.  Wherever  a  ju- 
dicious use  of  various  type  would  indicate  literary 
structure  or  emphasis  it  has  been  employed. 

3 


4  PREFACE. 

The  careful  student  of  the  Epistles  and  of  the  Apoca- 
lypse will  properly  consult  more  technical  works. 
This  booklet  is  for  private  and  family  devotion,  for 
prayer  meetings,  and  in  general  for  reading  rather 
than  for  study.  At  the  same  time  the  editors  con- 
fidently hope  that  the  presentation  of  the  entire  apos- 
tolic story  in  small  compass,  in  good  type,  in  natural 
arrangement  and  in  very  inexpensive  form,  will  be 
of  great  assistance  in  connection  with  Sunday  School 
and  study  classes,  especially  as  affording  opportunity 
for  the  continuous  reading  of  considerable  portions 
of  the  New  Testament. 

THE  EDITORS. 


Mis  jfrfenbs 


Zhc  Stocs  of  tbc  Ifirst  Disciples 

Jesus'  Farewell  to  His  Friends ii 

In  Place  of  Judas 12 

The  Descent  of  the  Spirit 13 

Thie  Sermon  of  Peter 14 

1  fie  Man  that  was  Lame 16 

Peter's  Address  in  the  Temple 17 

The  Arrest  of  Peter  and  John i^ 

Peter's  Defense iq 

The  Joy  of  the  Disciples    , 20 

All  Things  Common 21 

The  Two  Hypocrites 21 

The  Growth  of  the  Church '. 22 

The  Apostles  Before  the  Council 23 

The  Defense  of  Gamaliel 24 

The  Choice  of  the  Seven 25 

Stephen's  Defense 26 

Martyrdom  of  Stephen 30 

Great  Persecution 30 

Philip  in  Samaria 31 

Philip  and  the  Ethiopian 32 

Miracles  Wrough t  by  Peter 34 

The  Vision  of  Cornelius 35 

The  Vision  of  Peter 35 

The  Arrival  of  the  Messengers 36 

Peter  and  Cornelius 36 

Peter's  Explanation  to  the  J e ws 38 

Peter  Imprisoned  and  Delivered 39 

B  Xettcr  of  5ame5 

TO  JEWISH  CHRISTIANS. 

The  Val  ue  of  Trial 42 

The  Way  of  Wisdom 42 

The  Sources  of  Good  and  Evil 43 

5 


6  HIS  FRIENDS 

Receiving  the  Word 43 

The  Principles  of  Brotherhood 44 

Faith  Without  Works 4S 

The  Tongue 45 

Heavenly  Wisdom 46 

The  Source  of  Strife 47 

The  Sin  of  Judging 47 

The  Uncertainty  of  Life 48 

The  Failure  of  Riches 48 

Fatient  Waiting 48 

Simple  Speaking 49 

The  Power  of  Prayer 4g 

The  Best  Work 49 

21  Xetter  of  peter 

TO  JEWISH  CHRISTIANS. 

The  Joy  of  Salvation 50 

Earnest  Living 51 

Unfeigned  Love 51 

Growth  and  Privilege 52 

Christian  Influence 53 

The  Christian  Citizen 53 

The  Christian  Servant S3 

The  Christian  Wife 54 

The  Christian  Husband 54 

Christian  Brethren 54 

Meeting  Persecution 5, 

Living  to  the  Will  of  God 56 

Suffering  as  a  Christian 56 

Duty  of  the  Pastors 57 

Humility  and  Watchfulness 57 

21  Second  Xetter  ot  ipeter 

The  Growth  of  Goodness 59 

An  Apostolic  Admonition 60 

The  Certainty  of  the  Faith 60 

Punishment  of  False  Teachers 60 

The  Marks  of  F"alse  Teachers 61 

Danger  from  False  Teachers 62 

The  Promised  Return  of  Christ 62 

The  Delay  of  His  Coming 63 

Watching  for  His  Coming 63 

The  Need  of  Stedfastness   64 


HIS  FRIENDS  7 

21  Xettcr  ot  5u&e 

One  Faith,  Many  Infidels 65 

Warnings  from  History 65 

Sin  of  the  Scoffers 66 

Their  Worth!  essness 66 

Their  Predicted  Doom 66 

The  Duty  of  the  Faithful 67 

B  3Lcttcc  to  tbe  IHebrews 

Christ  Greater  than  the  Prophets 68 

Christ  Greater  than  the  Angels 68 

The  Obligation  of  Stedfastness  69 

The  Humiliation  of  Jesus 69 

Christ  Greater  than  Moses 71 

Warning  Against  Unfaithfulness 71 

Christ  Greater  than  Joshua 72 

Exhortation  to  Faithfulness 73 

Christ  Greater  than  Aaron 73 

The  Need  of  Knowledge 74 

The  Danger  of  Apostasy 75 

God's  Great  Promise 75 

The  Priest  Melchizedek 76 

Christ  Greater  than  Levi 76 

The  Eternal  Priesthood 76 

The  New  Covenant = 78 

The  Better  Sacrifice 79 

The  Finished  Sacrifice 81 

The  Full ness  of  Faith 83 

The  Sin  of  A  postasy 83 

Remembrance  of  Faithfulness 84 

The  Heroes  of  Faith 84 

The  Faith  of  Abel 85 

The  Faith  of  Enoch 85 

The  Faith  of  Noah 85 

The  Faith  of  Abraham  and  Sarah 85 

The  Pilgrims  of  Faith 86 

The  Faith  of  the  Patriarchs 86 

The  Faith  of  Moses'  Parents 86 

The  Faith  of  Moses 87 

The  Faith  that  Conquered  Canaan 87 

The  Victories  of  Faith 87 

Incentives  to  Perseverance 88 


8  HIS  FRIENDS 

The  Chastening  of  Love 88 

Falling  Short  of  Grace 89 

Law  and  Grace «.  89 

The  Christian  Fraternity go 

Benediction 92 

A  Postscript  of  Salutations 92 

n  Xettcr  of  5obu  to  Cbcletfan  people 

The  Purpose  of  the  Letter 93 

Forgiveness  of  Sin 93 

Fellowship  with  God 93 

Tests  of  Fellowship 94 

Dangers  of  Worldliness 94 

Deniers  of  Christ 95 

Abiding  in  the  Truth 95 

Righteous  Children  of  God 9^ 

Loving  Children  of  God 97 

Faithful  Children  of  God 97 

The  True  and  the  False 98 

Love  as  the  Test 98 

The  Witness  of  the  Truth 99 

Christian  Confidence 100 

Hoi y  Living 100 

U  Xetter  ot  5obn  to  a  Cbcfstian  XaDis 

Salutation loi 

Walking  in  Truth loi 

False  Teachers loi 

Conclusion 102 

B  Xetter  of  3^obn  to  (Safus, 

Salutation 102 

Walking  in  Truth 102 

Hospitality 102 

Unholy  Ambition 103 

Conclusion 103 

^be  IRevelatlon  of  Jc6\x6  Cbrfst 

Introduction 104 

Salutation  to  the  Churches 104 

John  in  Patmos 105 

The  Vision  of  the  Living  One 105 

The  Message   to  Ephesus 106 

The  Message  to  Smyrna 106 


HIS  FRIENDS  9 

The  Message  to  Pergamum 107 

The  Message  to  Thyatira 107 

The  Message  to  Sardis     108 

The  Message  to  Philadelphia log 

The  Message  to  Laodicea no 

The  Vision  of  the  Throne no 

The  Song  of  the  Seraphim in 

The  Anthem  of  the  Elders in 

The  Lamb 112 

Heaven's  New  Song 112 

The  Song  of  the  Ten  Thousands 113 

,  The  Chorus  of  the  Whole  Creation 113 

The  First  Seal :    The  Conqueror 113 

The  Second  Seal:  War 113 

The  Third  Seal:  Famine 114 

The  Fourth  Seal:  Death n4 

The  Fifth  Seal:  Martyrs 114 

The  Sixth  Seal :  Terror 114 

The  Servant  of  God  Sealed 115 

The  Song  of  the  Great  Multitude n6 

The  Innumerable  Throng  Triumphant 116 

The  Seventh  Seal:  The  Seven  Trumpets 117 

The  First  Trumpet:  The  Burning  Earth 117 

The  Second  Trumpet:  The  Bloody  Sea  117 

The  Third  Trumpet:   The  Bitter  Waters 118 

The  Fourth  Trumpet:  The  Darkened  Heavens 118 

The  Fifth  Trumpet :  Apollyon 118 

The  Sixth  Trumpet:  Destroying  Angels 119 

Delay  No  Longer 120 

The  Little  Book  Eaten 121 

The  Doom  of  Jerusalem 121 

The  Seventh  Trumpet:  Triumph 123 

The  Song  of  Thanksgiving 123 

The  Woman,  the  Dragon,  and  the  Child 123 

The  Proclamation  of  Power 124 

The  Beast  Out  of  the  Sea 125 

The  Beast  Ou  t  of  the  Earth 126 

The  Lamb  and  the  Undefiled 127 

The  Angel  with  Good  Tidings 127 

The  Harvest  of  Wrath 128 

The  Song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb 129 


10  HIS  FRIENDS 

The  First  lJov\  1 :  Pestilence 130 

The  Second  Bowl :  The  Bloody  Sea 130 

The  Third  Bowl :  The  Bloody  Rivers 130 

The  Fourth  Bowl:  The  Scorching  Heat 130 

The  Fifth  Bowl:  Anguish 131 

The  Sixth  Bowl:  War 131 

The  Seventh  Bowl:    Earthquake 131 

The  Scarlet  Woman 132 

The  Wicked  City  on  the  Seven  Hills 133 

Desolation  of  the  Wicked  City 134 

The  Fourfold  Hallelujah 136 

The  Word  of  God 137 

The  Lake  of  Fire 138 

Satan  Bound  a  Thousand  Years 138 

The  Millennial  Reign 139 

The  Final  Conflict 139 

The  Judgment 139 

The  New  Heaven  and  New  Earth 140 

The  Holy  City 141 

The  River  of  Life 142 

Faithful  and  True 143 

The  Alpha  and  Omega 143 

Invitation  and  Warning 144 

Benediction 144 


Mfs  ^ttenbs 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  FIRST  DISCIPLES 


Jesus'  Farewell  to  His  Friends. 

Jesus  showed  himself  ahve  after  his  passion,  unto 
the  apostles  whom  he  had  chosen,  by  many  proofs, 
appearing  unto  them  by  the  space  of  forty  days,  and 
speaking  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God. 
And,  being  assembled  together  with  them,  he  charged 
them  not  to  depart  from  Jerusalem,  "  But,"  said  he, 
"Wait  for  the  promise  of  the  Father,  which,  ye 
heard  from  me :  for  John  indeed  baptized  with  water ; 
but  ye  shall  be  baptized  in  the  Holy  Spirit  not  many 
days  hence.' ' 

They  therefore,  when  they  were  come  together, 
asked  him,  saying,  "Lord,  dost  thou  at  this  time  restore 
the  kingdom  to  Israel?" 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "It  is  not  for  you  to  know 
times  or  seasons,  which  the  Father  hath  set  within  his 
own  authority.  But  ye  shall  receive  power,  when  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  come  upon  you:  and  ye  shall  be  my 
witnesses  both  in  Jerusalem,  and  in  all  Judaea  and 
Samaria,  and  unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth." 

And  when  he  had  said  these  things,  as  they  were 
looking,  he  was  taken  up;  and  a  cloud  received  him 
out  of  their  sight. 

And  while  they  were  looking  stedfastly  into  heaven 
as  he  went,  behold  two  men  stood  by  them  in  white 
11 


12  HIS   FRIENDS 

apparel;  who  also  said,  "Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand 
ye  looking  into  heaven?  this  Jesus,  who  was  received 
up  from  you  into  heaven,  shall  so  come  in  like  manner 
as  ye  beheld  him  going  into  heaven. " 

The  Friends    in    the  Upper  Chamber. 

Then  returned  they  unto  Jerusalem  from  the  mount 
called  Olivet,  which  is  nigh  unto  Jerusalem,  a  sabbath 
day's  journey  off.  And  when  they  were  come  in,  they 
went  up  into  the  upper  chamber,  where  they  were 
abiding;  both  Peter  and  John  and  James  and  Andrew, 
Philip  and  Thomas,  Bartholomew  and  Matthew,  James 
the  son  of  Alphaeus,  and  Simon  the  Zealot,  and  Judas 
the  son  of  James.  These  all  with  one  accord  continued 
stedfastly  in  prayer,  with  the  women,  and  Mary  the 
mother  of  Jesus,  and  with  his  brethren. 

In  PlaCE  of  Judas. 

And  in  these  days  Peter  stood  up  in  the  midst  of 
the  brethren,  and  said  (and  there  was  a  multitude  of 
persons  gathered  together,  about  a  hundred  and 
twenty),  "Brethren,  it  was  needful  that  the  scripture 
should  be  fulfilled,  which  the  Holy  Spirit  spake  before 
by  the  mouth  of  David  concerning  Judas,  who  was 
guide  to  them  that  took  Jesus.  For  he  was  numbered 
among  us,  and  received  his  portion  in  this  ministry. 
(Now  this  man  obtained  a  field  with  the  reward  of  his 
iniquity;  and  falling  headlong,  he  burst  asunder  in 
the  midst,  and  all  his  bowels  gushed  out.  And  it 
became  krlown  to  all  the  dwellers  at  Jerusalem;  in- 
somuch that  in  their  language  that  field  was  called 
Akeldama,  that  is,  The  field  of  blood.)  For  it  is 
written  in  the  book  of  Psalms, 

'Let  his  habitation  be  made  desolate, 

And  let  no  man  dwell  therein:' 
and, 

'His  office  let  another  take.'  / 


THE   DESCENT  OF  THE   SPIRIT  13 

"Of  the  men  therefore  that  have  companied  with  us 
all  the  time  that  the  Lord  Jesus  went  in  and  went  out 
among  us,  beginning  from  the  baptism  of  John,  unto 
the  day  that  he  was  received  up  from  us,  of  these  must 
one  become  a  witness  with  us  of  his  resurrection. " 

And  they  put  forward  two,  Joseph  called  Barsabbas, 
who  was  surnamed  Justus,  and   Matthias. 

And  they  prayed,  and  said,  "Thou,  Lord,  who 
knowest  the  hearts  of  all  men,  show  of  these  two  the 
one  whom  thou  hast  chosen,  to  take  the  place  in  this 
ministry  and  apostleship  from  which  Judas  fell  away, 
that  he  might  go  to  his  own  place. " 

And  they  gave  lots  for  them;  and  the  lot  fell  upon 
Matthias;  and  he  was  numbered  with  the  eleven 
apostles. 

The  Descent  of  the  Spirit. 

And  when  the  day  of  Pentecost  was  now  come,  they 
were  all  together  in  one  place.  And  suddenly  there 
came  from  heaven  a  sound  as  of  the  rushing  of  a  mighty 
wind,  and  it  filled  all  the  house  where  they  were  sitting. 
And  there  appeared  unto  them  tongues  parting  asunder, 
like  as  of  fire;  and  it  sat  upon  each  one  of  them.  And 
they  were,  all  filled  with  the  Hol}^  Spirit,  and  began  to 
speak  with  other  tongues,  as  the  Spirit  gave  them 
utterance. 

Now  there  were  dwelling  at  Jerusalem  Jews,  devout 
men,  from  every  nation  under  heaven.  And  when 
this  sound  was  heard,  the  multitude  came  together, 
and  were  confounded,  because  that  every  :nan  heard 
them  speaking  in  his  own  language. 

And  they  were  all  amazed  and  marvelled,  saying, 
"Behold,  are  not  all  these  that  speak  Galilaeans? 
And  how  hear  we,  every  man  in  our  own  language 
wherein  we  were  born?  Parthians  and  Medes  and 
Elamites,  and  the  dwellers  in  Mesopotamia,  in  Judaea 


14  HIS  FRIENDS 

and  Cappadocia,  in  Pontus  and  Asia,  in  Phrygia  and 
Pamphylia,  in  Egypt  and  the  parts  of  Libya  about 
Cyrene,  and  sojourners  from  Rome,  both  Jews  and 
proselytes,  Cretans  and  Arabians,  we  hear  them 
speaking  in  our  tongues  the  mighty  works  of  God." 

And  they  were  all  amazed,  and  were  perplexed, 
saying  one  to  another,  "What  meaneth  this?" 

But  others  mocking  said,  "They  are  filled  with  new 
wine. " 

The  Sermon  of  Peter. 

But  Peter,  standing  up  with  the  eleven,  lifted  up  his 
voice,  and  spake  forth  unto  them,  saying, 

"Ye  men  of  Judaea,  and  all  ye  that  dwell  at  Jerusa- 
lem, be  this  known  unto  you,  and  give  ear  unto  my 
words.  For  these  are  not  drunken,  as  ye  suppose; 
seeing  it  is  but  the  third  hour  of  the  day;  but  this  is 
that  which  hath  been  spoken  through  the  prophet  Joel: 

'And  it  shall  be  in  the  last  days,  saith  God, 
I  will  pour  forth  of  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh : 
And  your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  proph- 
esy, 
And  your  young  men  shall  see  visions. 
And  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams: 
Yea  and  on  my  servants  and  on  my  handmaidens 

in  those  days 
Will  I  pour  forth  of  my  Spirit;  and  the}'-  shall 

prophesy. 
And  I  will  show  wonders  in  the  heaven  above. 
And  signs  on  the  earth  beneath; 
Blood,  and  fire,  and  vapor  of  smoke: 
The  sun  shall  be  turned  into  darkness, 
And  the  moon  into  blood, 
Before  the  day  of  the  Lord  come, 
That  great  and  notable  day: 
And  it  shall  be,   that  whosoever  shall  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved.' 

"Ye  men  of  Israel,  hear  these  words:  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth, a  man  approved  of  God  unto  you  by  mighty  works 
and  wonders  and  signs  which  God  did  by  him  in  the 


THE   SERMON  OF   PETER  15 

midst  of  you,  even  as  ye  yourselves  know;  him,  being 
delivered  up  by  the  determinate  counsel  and  fore- 
knowledge of  God,  ye  by  the  hand  of  lawless  men  did 
crucify  and  slay:  whom  God  raised  up,  having  loosed 
the  pangs  of  death :  because  it  was  not  possible  that  he 
should  be  holden  of  it.  For  David  saith  concerning 
him, 

*I  beheld  the  Lord  always  before  my  face; 

For  he  is  on  my  right  h^nd,  that  I  should  not 

be  moved: 
Therefore  my  heart  was  glad,  and  my  tongue 

rejoiced; 
Moreover  my  flesh  also  shall  dwell  in  hope: 
Because  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  unto  Hades, 
Neither   wilt   thou  give   thy   Holy   One   to    see 

corruption. 
Thou  madest  known  unto  me  the  ways  of  life; 
Thou  shalt  make  me  full  of  gladness  with  thy 
countenance.' 

"Brethren,  I  may  say  unto  you  freely  of  the  patriarch 
David,  that  he  both  died  and  was  buried,  and  his  tomb 
is  with  us  unto  this  day.  Being  therefore  a  prophet, 
and  knowing  that  God  had  sworn  with  an  oath  to  him, 
that  of  the  fruit  of  his  loins  he  would  set  one  upon  his 
throne;  he  foreseeing  this  spake  of  the  resurrection  of 
the  Christ,  that  neither  was  he  left  unto  Hades,  nor 
did  his  flesh  see  corruption.  This  Jesus  did  God  raise 
up,  whereof  we  all  are  witnesses.  Being  therefore  by 
the  right  hand  of  God  exalted,  and  having  received  of 
the  Father  the  promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  hath 
poured  forth  this,  which  ye  see  and  hear.  For  David 
ascended  not  into  the  heavens:  but  he  saith  himself, 

'The  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord, 

Sit  thou  on  my  right  hand. 

Till  I  make  thine  enemies  the  footstool  of  thy 
feet.' 

"Let  all  the  house  of  Israel  therefore  know  assuredly, 


16  HIS  FRIENDS 

that  God  hath  made  him  both  Lord  and  Christ,  this 
Jesus  whom  ye  crucified." 

Seasons  of  Refreshing. 

Now  when  they  heard  this,  they  were  pricked  in  their 
heart,  and  said  unto  Peter  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles, 
"Brethren,  what  shall  we  do?" 

And  Peter  said  unto  them,  "Repent  ye,  and  be  bap- 
tized every  one  of  youpin  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  unto 
the  remission  of  your  sins;  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  to  you  is  the  promise,  and  to 
your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many 
as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call  unto  him." 

And  with  many  other  words  he  testified,  and  exhorted 
them,  saying,  "Save  yourselves  from  this  crooked  gen- 
eration." 

They  then  that  received  his  word  were  baptized: 
and  there  were  added  unto  them  in  that  day  about 
three  thousand  souls.  And  they  continued  stedfastly 
in  the  apostles'  teaching  and  fellowship,  in  the  breaking 
of  bread  and  the  prayers. 

And  fear  came  upon  every  soul:  and  many  wonders 
and  signs  were  done  through  the  apostles.  And  all 
that  believed  were  together,  and  had  all  things  common; 
and  they  sold  their  possessions  and  goods,  and  parted 
them  to  all,  according  as  any  man  -had  need.  And 
day  by  day,  continuing  stedfastly  with  one  accord  in 
the  temple,  and  breaking  bread  at  home,  they  took 
their  food  with  gladness  and  singleness  of  heart,  prais- 
ing God,  and  having  favor  with  all  the  people.  And 
the  Lord  added  to  them  day  by  day  those  that  were 
saved. 

The  Man  that  was  Lame. 

Now  Peter  and  John  were  going  up  into  the  temple 
at  the  hour  of  prayer,  being  the  ninth  hour.     And  a 


Peter's  address  in  the  temple  17 

certain  man  that  was  lame  from  his  mother's  womb 
was  carried,  whom  they  laid  daily  at  the  door  of  the 
temple  which  is  called  Beautiful,  to  ask  alms  of  them 
that  entered  into  the  temple;  who  seeing  Peter  and 
John  about  to  go  into  the  temple,  asked  to  receive  an 
alms. 

And  Peter,  fastening  his  eyes  upon  him,  with  John, 
said,  "Look  on  us." 

And  he  gave  heed  unto  them,  expecting  to  receive 
something  from  them. 

But  Peter  said,  "Silver  and  gold  have  I  none;  but 
what  I  have,  that  give  I  thee.  In  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Nazareth,  walk." 

And  he  took  him  by  the  right  hand,  and  raised  him 
up:  and  immediately  his  feet  and  his  ankle-bones  re- 
ceived strength.  And  leaping  up,  he  stood,  and  began 
to  walk;  and  he  entered  with  them  into  the  temple, 
walking,  and  leaping,  and  praising  God.  And  all  the 
people  saw  him  walking  and  praising  God:  and  they 
took  knowledge  of  him,  that  it  was  he  that  sat  for  alms 
at  the  Beautiful  Gate  of  the  temple;  and  they  were 
filled  with  wonder  and  amazement  at  that  which  had 
happened  unto  him. 

And  as  he  held  Peter  and  John,  all  the  people  ran 
together  unto  them  in  the  porch  that  is  called  Solomon's, 
greatly  wondering. 

Peter's  Address  in  the  Temple. 

And  when  Peter  saw  it,  he  answered  unto  the  people, 
"Ye  men  of  Israel,  why  marvel  ye  at  this  man?  or  why 
fasten  ye  your  eyes  on  us,  as  though  by  our  own  power 
or  godliness  we  had  made  him  to  walk?  The  God 
of  Abraham,  and  of  Isaac,  and  of  Jacob,  the  God  of  our. 
fathers,  hath  glorified  his  Servant  Jesus;  whom  ye 
delivered  up,  and  denied  before  the  face  of  Pilate, when 
he   had   determined  to  release   him.     But   ye   denied 


18  HIS  FRIENDS 

the  Holy  and  Righteous  One,  and  asked  for  a  murderer 
to  be  granted  unto  you,  and  killed  the  Prince  of  life; 
whom  God  raised  from  the  dead;  whereof  we  are  wit- 
nesses. And  by  faith  in  his  name  hath  his  name  made 
this  man  strong,  whom  ye  behold  and  know:  yea,  the 
faith  which  is  through  him  hath  given  him  this 
perfect  soundness  in  the  presence  of  you  all. 

"And  now,  brethren,  I  know  that  in  ignorance  ye 
did  it,  as  did  also  your  rulers.  But  the  things  which 
God  foreshowed  by  the  mouth  of  all  the  prophets, 
that  his  Christ  should  suffer,  he  thus  fulfilled.  Repent 
ye  therefore,  and  turn  again,  that  your  sins  may  be 
blotted  out,  that  so  there  may  come  seasons  of  refresh- 
ing from  the  presence  of  the  Lord;  and  that  he  may 
send  the  Christ  who  hath  been  appointed  for  you, 
even  Jesus:  whom  the  heaven  must  receive  until  the 
times  of  restoration  of  all  things,  whereof  God  spake 
by  the  mouth  of  his  holy  prophets  that  have  been 
from  of  old. 

"Moses  indeed  said,  'A  prophet  shall  the  Lord  God 
raise  up  unto  you  from  among  your  brethren,  like  unto 
me;  to  him  shall  ye  hearken  in  all  things  whatsoever 
he  shall  speak  unto  you.  And  it  shall  be,  that  every 
soul  that  shall  not  hearken  to  that  prophet,  shall  be 
utterly  destroyed  from  among  the  people.'  Yea  and 
all  the  prophets  from  Samuel  and  them  that  followed 
after,  as  many  as  have  spoken,  they  also  told  of  these 
days.  Ye  are  the  sons  of  the  prophets,  and  of  the 
covenant  which  God  made  with  your  fathers,  saying 
unto  Abraham,  'And  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  families 
of  the  earth  be  blessed.'  Unto  you  first  God,  having 
raised  up  his  Servant,,  sent  him  to  bless  you,  in  turning 
away  every  one  of  you  from  your  iniquities." 

The  Arrest  of  Peter  and  John. 
And  as  they  spake  unto  the  people,  the  priests  and 


Peter's  defence  19 

the  captain  of  the  temple  and  the  Sadducees  came 
upon  them,  being  sore  troubled  because  they  taught 
the  people,  and  proclaimed  in  Jesus  the  resurrection 
from  the  dead.  And  they  laid  hands  on  them,  and 
put  them  in  ward  unto  the  morrow:  for  it  was  now 
eventide.  But  many  of  them  that  heard  the  word 
believed;  and  the  number  of  the  men  came  to  be  about 
five  thousand. 

Peter's  Defence. 

And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  morrow,  that  their  rulers 
and  elders  and  scribes  were  gathered  together  in  Jeru- 
salem; and  Annas  the  high  priest  was  there,  and 
Caiaphas,  and  John,  and  Alexander,  and  as  many  as 
were  of  the  kindred  of  the  high  priest.  And  when  they 
had  set  them  in  the  midst,  they  inquired,  "By  what 
power,  or  in  w^hat  name,  have  ye  done  this?" 

Then  Peter,  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  said  unto 
them,  "Ye  rulers  of  the  people,  and  elders,  if  we  this 
day  are  examined  concerning  a  good  deed  done  to  an 
impotent  man,  by  what  means  this  man  is  made 
whole;  be  it  known  unto  you  all,  and  to  all  the  people 
of  Israel,  that  in  the  naine  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth, 
whom  ye  crucified,  whom  God  raised  from  the  dead, 
even  in  him  doth  this  man  stand  here  before  you  whole. 
He  is  the  stone  which  was  set  at  nought  of  you  the 
builders,  which  was  made  the  head  of  the  corner. 
And  in  none  other  is  there  salvation ;  for  neither  is  there 
any  other  name  under  heaven,  that  is  given  among 
men,  wherein  we  must  be  saved." 

Now  when  they  beheld  the  boldness  of  Peter  and 
John,  and  had  perceived  that  they  were  unlearned 
and  ignorant  men,  they  marvelled;  and  they  took 
knowledge  of  them,  that  they  had  been  with  Jesus. 
And  seeing  the  man  that  was  healed  standing  with 
them,  they  could  say  nothing  against  it. 


20  HIS   FRIENDS 

But  when  they  had  commanded  them  to  go  aside 
out  of  the  council,  they  conferred  among  themselves, 
saying,  "What  shall  we  do  to  these  men?  for  that  indeed 
a  notable  miracle  hath  been  wrought  through  them, 
is  manifest  to  all  that  dwell  in  Jerusalem;  and  we  can- 
not deny  it.  But  that  it  spread  no  further  among  the 
people,  let  us  threaten  them,  that  they  speaK  hence- 
forth to  no  man  in  this  name." 

And  they  called  them,  and  charged  them  not  to 
speak  at  all  nor  teach  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 

But  Peter  and  John  answered  and  said  unto  them, 
"Whether  it  is  right  in  the  sight  of  God  to  hearken 
unto  you  rather  than  unto  God,  judge  ye:  for  we  can- 
not but  speak  the  things  which  we  saw  and   heard." 

And  they,  when  they  had  further  threatened  them, 
let  them  go,  finding  nothing  how  they  might  punish 
them,  because  of  the  people;  for  all  men  glorified  God 
for  that  which  was  done.  For  the  man  was  more  than 
forty  years  old,  on  whom  this  miracle  of  healing  was 
wrought. 

The  Joy  of  the  Disciples. 

And  being  let  go,  they  came  to  their  own  company, 
and  reported  all  that  the  chief  priests  and  the  elders 
had  said  unto  them. 

And  they,  when  they  heard  it,  lifted  up  their  voice 
to  God  with  one  accord,  and  said,  "O  Lord,  thou  that 
didst  m.aKe  the  heaven  and  the  earth  and  the  sea,  and 
all  that  in  them  is:  who  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  the 
mouth  of  our  father  David  thy  servant,  didst  say, 
'Why  did  the  Gentiles  rage, 
And    the    peoples   imagine    vain    things? 
The  kings  of  the  earth  set  themselves  in  array. 
And  the  rulers  were  gathered  together, 
Against  the  Lord,   and  against  his  Anointed:' 

for  of  a  truth  in  this  city  against  thy  holy  Servant 
Jesus,  whom  thou  didst  anoint,  both  Herod  and  Pontius 


ALL  THINGS  COMMON  21 

Pilate,  with  the  Gentiles  and  the  peoples  of  Israel,  were 
gathered  together,  to  do  whatsoever  thy  hand  and  thy 
counsel  foreordained  to  come  to  pass.  And  now. 
Lord,  look  upon  their  threatenings:  and  grant  unto 
thy  servants  to  speak  thy  word  with  all  boldness, 
while  thou  stretchest  forth  thy  hand  to  heal;  and  that 
signs  and  wonders  may  be  done  through  the  name  of 
thy  holy  Servant  Jesus." 

And  when  they  had  prayed,  the  place  was  shaken 
wherein  they  w^ere  gathered  together;  and  they  were 
all  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  they  spake  the  word 
of  God  with  boldness. 

All  Things  Common. 

And  the  multitude  of  them  that  believed  were  of 
one  heart  and  soul:  and  not  one  of  them  said  that 
aught  of  the  things  which  he  possessed  was  his  own; 
but  they  had  all  things  common.  And  with  great 
power  gave  the  apostles  their  witness  of  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  Lord  Jesus:  and  great  grace  was  upon  them 
all. 

For  neither  was  there  among  them  any  that  lacked; 
for  as  many  as  were  possessors  of  lands  or  houses  sokl 
them,  and  brought  the  prices  of  the  things  that  were 
sold,  and  laid  them  at  the  apostles'  feet:  and  distribu- 
tion was  made  unto  each,  according  as  any  one  had 
need. 

And  Joseph,  who  by  the  apostles  was  surnamed 
Barnabas  (which  is,  being  interpreted.  Son  of  exhorta- 
tion), a  Levite,  a  man  of  Cyprus  by  race,  having  a  field, 
sold  it,  and  brought  the  money  and  laid  it  at  the 
apostles'  feet. 

The  Two  Hypocrites. 

But  a  certain  man  named  Ananias,  with  Sapphira, 
his  wife,  sold  a  possession,  and  kept  back  part  of  the 


22  HIS  FRIENDS 

price,  his  wife  also  being  priv}'  to  it,  and  brought  a 
certain  part,  and  laid  it  at  the  apostles'  feet 

But  Peter  said,  "Ananias,  why  hath  Satan  filled  thy 
heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  to  keep  back  part 
of  the  price  of  the  land?  While  it  remained,  did  it  not 
remain  thine  own?  and  after  it  was  sold,  was  it  not  in 
thy  power?  How  is  it  that  thou  hast  conceived  this 
thing  in  thy  heart?  thou  hast  not  lied  unto  men,  but 
unto  God." 

And  Ananias  hearing  these  words  fell  down  and  gave 
up  the  ghost:  and  great  fear  came  upon  all  that  heard 
it.  And  the  young  men  arose  and  wrapped  him  round, 
and  they  carried  him  out  and  buried  him. 

And  it  was  about  the  space  of  three  hours  after,  when 
his  wife,  not  knowing  what  was  done,  came  in.  And 
Peter  answered  unto  her,  "Tell  me  whether  ye  sold 
the  land  for  so  much." 

And  she  said,  "Yea,  for  so  much." 

But  Peter  said  unto 'her,  "How  is  it  that  ye  have 
agreed  together  to  try  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord?  behold 
the  feet  of  them  that  have  buried  thy  husband  are  at 
the  door,  and  they  shall  carry  thee  out." 

And  she  fell  down  immediately  at  his  feet,  and  gave 
up  the  ghost:  and  the  young  men  came  in  and  found 
her  dead,  and  they  carried  her  out  and  buried  her  by 
her  husband. 

And  great  fear  came  upon  the  whole  church,  and 
upon  all  that  heard  these  things. 

The  Growth  of  the  Church. 
And  by  the  hands  of  the  apostles  were  many  signs 
and  wonders  wrought  among  the  people:  and  they  were 
all  with  one  accord  in  Solomon's  porch.  But  of  the 
rest  durst  no  man  join  himself  to  them:  howbeit  the 
people  magnified  them;  and  believers  were  the  more 
added  to  the  Lord,  multitudes  both  of  men  and  women: 


THE  APOSTLES  BEFORE  THE  COUNCIL.        23 

insomuch  that  they  even  carried  out  the  sick  into  the 
streets,  and  laid  them  on  beds  and  couches,  that,  as 
Peter  came  by,  at  the  leavSt  his  shadow  might  over- 
shadow some  one  of  them.  And  there  also  came  to- 
gether the  multitude  from  the  cities  round  about  Jeru- 
salem, bringing  sick  folk,  and  them  that  were  vexed 
with  unclean  spirits:  and  they  were  healed  every  one. 

The  Apostles  Before  the  Council. 

But  the  high  priest  rose  up,  and  all  they  that  were 
with  him  (which  is  the  sect  of  the  Sadducees),  and 
they  were  filled  with  jealousy,  and  laid  hands  on  the 
apostles,    and   put   them   in   public   ward. 

But  an  angel  of  the  Lord  by  night  opened  the  prison 
doors,  and  brought  them  out,  and  said,  "Go  ye,  and 
vStand  and  speak  in  the  temple  to  the  people  all  the 
words  of  this  Life." 

And  when  they  heard  this,  they  entered  into  the 
temple  about  daybreak,  and  taught. 

But  the  high  priest  came,  and  they  that  were  with 
him,  and  called  the  council  together,  and  all  the  senate 
of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  sent  to  the  prison-house 
to  have  them  brought. 

But  the  officers  that  came  found  them  not  in  the 
prison;  and  they  returned,  and  told,  saying,  "The 
prison-house  we  found  shut  in  all  safety,  and  the  keep- 
ers standing  at  the  doors:  but  when  we  had  opened, 
we  found  no  man  within." 

Now  when  the  captain  of  the  temple  and  the  chief 
priests  heard  these  words,  they  were  much  perplexed 
concerning  them  whereunto  this  would  grow. 

And  there  came  one  and  told  them,  "Behold,  the 
men  whom  ye  put  in  the  prison  are  in  the  temple 
standing  and  teaching  the  people." 

Then  went  the  captain  with  the  officers,  and  brought 
them,  but  without  violence;  for  they  feared  the  people, 


24  HIS  FRIENDS 

lest  they  should  be  stoned.  And  when  they  had 
brought  them,  they  set  them  before  the  council. 

And  the  high  priest  asked  them,  saying,  "We  strictly 
charged  you  not  to  teach  in  this  name:  and  behold,  ye 
have  filled  Jerusalem  with  your  teaching,  and  intend 
to  bring  this  man's  blood  upon  us." 

But  Peter  and  the  apostles  answered  and  said,  "We 
must  obey  God  rather  than  men.  The  God  of  our 
fathers  raised  up  Jesus,  whom  ye  slew,  hanging  him 
on  a  tree.  Him  did  God  exalt  with  his  right  hand  to 
be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repentance  to  Israel, 
and  remission  of  sins.  And  we  are  witnesses  of  these 
things;  and  so  is  the  Holy  Spirit,  whom  God  hath  given 
to  them  that  obey  him." 

But  they,  when  they  heard  this,  were  cut  to  the 
heart,  and  were  minded  to  slay  them. 

Defence  by  Gamaliel. 

But  there  stood  up  one  in  the  council,  a  Pharisee, 
named  Gamaliel,  a  doctor  of  the  law,  had  in  honor  of 
all  the  people,  and  commanded  to  put  the  men  forth 
a  little  while. 

And  he  said  unto  them,  "Ye  men 'of  Israel,  take 
heed  to  yourselves  as  touching  these  men,  what  ye  are 
about  to  do.  For  before  these  days  rose  up  Theudas, 
giving  himself  out  to  be  somebody;  to  whom  a  num- 
ber of  men,  about  four  hundred,  joined  themselves: 
who  was  slain;  and  all,  as  many  as  obeyed  him,  were 
dispersed,  and  came  to  nought.  After  this  man  rose 
up  Judas  of  Galilee  in  the  days  of  the  enrolment,  and 
drew  away  some  of  the  people  after  him:  he  also  per- 
ished; and  all,  as  many  as  obeyed  him,  were  scattered 
abroad.  And  now  I  say  unto  you.  Refrain  from  these 
men,  and  let  them  alone:  for  if  this  counsel  or  this  work 
be  of  men,  it  will  be  overthrown:  but  if  it  is  of  God, 


THE   CHOICE  OF  THE   SEVEN  25 

ye  will   not  be  able  to  overthrow  them;  lest   haply  ye 
be  found  even  to  be  fighting  against  God." 

And  to  him  they  agreed:  and  when  they  had  called 
the  apostles  unto  them,  they  beat  them  and  charged 
them  not  to  speak  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  let  them 

go. 

They  therefore  departed  from  the  presence  of  the 
council,  rejoicing  that  they  were  counted  worthy  to 
suffer  dishonor  for  the  Name.  And  every  day,  in  the 
temple  and  at  home,  they  ceased  not  to  teach  and  to 
preach  Jesus  as  the  Christ. 

The  Choice  of  the  Seven. 

Now  in  these  days,  when  the  number  of  the  disciples 
was  multiplying,  there  arose  a  murmuring  of  the 
Grecian  Jews  against  the  Hebrews,  because  their 
widows  were  neglected  in  the  daily  ministration. 

And  the  twelve  called  the  multitude  of  the  disciples 
unto  them,  and  said,  "It  is  not  fit  that  we  should  for- 
sake the  word  of  God,  and  serve  tables.  Look  ye  out 
therefore,  brethren,  from  among  you  seven  men  of  good 
report,  full  of  the  vSpirit  and  of  wisdom,  whom  we  may 
appoint  over  this  business.  But  we  will  continue 
stedfastly  in  prayer,  and  in  the  ministry  of  the  word." 

And  the  saying  pleased  the  whole  multitude:  and 
they  chose  Stephen,  a  man  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  Philip,  and  Prochorus,  and  Nicanor,  and 
Timon,  and  Parmenas,  and  Nicolalis  a  proselyte  of 
Antioch ;  whom  they  set  before  the  apostles :  and  when 
they  had  prayed,  they  laid  their  hands  upon  them. 

And  the  word  of  God  increased;  and  the  number 
of  the  disciples  multiplied  in  Jerusalem  exceedingly; 
and  a  great  company  of  the  priests  were  obedient  to 
the  faith. 


26  his  friends 

Charges  Against  Stephen. 

And  Stephen,  full  of  grace  and  power,  wrought  great 
wonders  and  signs  among  the  people.  But  there  arose 
certain  of  them  that  were  of  the  synagogue  called  the 
synagogue  of  the  Libertines,  and  of  the  Cyrenians,  and 
of  the  Alexandrians,  and  of  them  of  Cilicia  and  Asia, 
disputing  with  Stephen.  And  they  were  not  able  to 
withstand  the  wisdom  and  the  Spirit  by  which  he  spake. 
Then  they  suborned  men,  who  said,  "We  have  heard 
him  speak  blasphemous  words  against  Moses,  and 
against  God. " 

And  they  stirred  up  the  people,  and  the  elders,  and 
the  scribes,  and  came  upon  him,  and  seized  him,  and 
brought  into  the  council,  and  set  up  false  witnesses, 
who  said.  "This  man  ceaseth  not  to  speak  words  against 
this  holy  place,  and  the  law:  for  we  have  heard  him  say, 
that  this  Jesus  of  Nazareth  shall  destroy  this  place,  and 
shall  change  the  customs  which  Moses  delivered  unto 
us. " 

And  all  that  sat  in  the  council,  fastening  their  eyes 
on  him,  saw  his  face  as  it  had  been  the  face  of  an  angel. 

And  the  high  priest  said,  "Are  these  things  so?" 

Stephen's  Defence. 

And  he  said,  "Brethren  and  fathers,  hearken:  The 
God  of  glory  appeared  unto  our  father  Abraham,  when 
he  was  in  Mesopotamia,  before  he  dwelt  in  Haran,  and 
said  unto  him,  'Get  thee  out  of  thy  land,  and  from 
thy  kindred,  and  come  into  the  land  which  I  shall  show 
thee. ' 

"Then  came  he  out  of  the  land  of  the  Chaldaeans,  and 
dwelt  in  Haran:  and  from  thence,  when  his  father  was 
dead,  God  removed  him  into  this  land,  wherein  ye  now 
dwell:  and  he  gave  him  none  inheritance  in  it,  no,  not  so 
much  as  to  set  his  foot  on:  and  he  promised  that  he 
would  give  it  to  him  in  possession,  and  to  his  seed  after 


Stephen's  defence  27 

him,  when  as  yet  he  had  no  child.  'And  God  spake  on 
this  wise,  that  his  seed  should  sojourn  in  a  strange  land, 
and  that  the}^  should  bring  them  into  bondage,  and 
treat  them  ill,  four  hundred  years.  'And  the  nation  to 
which  they  shall  be  in  bondage  will  I  judge, '  said  God: 
'and  after  that  shall  they  come  forth,  and  serve  me  in 
this  place.' 

"And  he  gave  him  the  covenant  of  circumcision:  and 
so  Abraham  begat  Isaac,  and  circum.cised  him  the 
eighth  day;  and  Isaac  begat  Jacob,  and  Jacob  the 
twelve  patriarchs.  And  the  patriarchs,  moved  with 
jealousy  against  Joseph,  sold  him  into  Egypt :  and  God 
was  with  him,  and  delivered  him  out  of  all  his  afflictions, 
and  gave  him  favor  and  wisdom  before  Pharaoh  king 
of  Egypt;  and  he  made  him  governor  over  Egypt  and 
all  his  house. 

"Now  there  came  a  famine  over  all  Egypt  and 
Canaan,  and  great  affliction :  and  our  fathers  found  no 
sustenance.  But  when  Jacob  heard  that  there  was 
grain  in  Egypt,  he  sent  forth  our  fathers  the  hrst  time. 
And  at  the  second  time  Joseph  was  made  known  to  his 
brethren;  and  Joseph's  race  became  manifest  unto 
Pharaoh.  And  Joseph  sent,  and  called  to  him  Jacob 
his  father,  and  all  his  kindred,  three-score  and  fifteen 
souls.  And  Jacob  went  down  into  Egypt :  and  he  died, 
himself  and  our  fathers;  and  they  were  carried  over 
unto  Shechem,  and  laid  in  the  tomb  that  Abraham 
bought  for  a  price  in  silver  of  the  sons  of  Hamor  in 
Shechem. 

"But  as  the  time  of  the  promise  drew  nigh  which  God 
vouchsafed  unto  Abraham,  the  people  grew  and  multi- 
plied in  Egypt,  till  there  arose  another  king  over  Egypt, 
who  knew  not  Joseph.  The  same  dealt  craftily  with 
our  race,  and  ill-treated  our  fathers,  that  they  should 
cast  out  their  babes  to  the  end  they  might  not  live. 
At  which  season  Moses  was  born,  and  was  exceeding 


28  HIS  FRIENDS 

fair;  and  he  was  nourished  three  months  in  his  father's 
house:  and  when  he  was  cast  out,  Pharaoh's  daughter 
took  him  up,  and  nourished  him  for  her  own  son.  And 
Moses  was  instructed  in  all  the  wisdom  of  the  Egyp- 
tians; and  he  was  mighty  in  his  words  and  works. 

"But  when  he  was  well-nigh  forty  years  old,  it  came 
into  his  heart  to  visit  his  brethren  the  children  of  Is- 
rael. And  seeing  one  of  them  suffer  wrong,  he  defended 
him,  and  avenged  him  that  was  oppressed,  smiting  the 
Egyptian:  and  he  supposed  that  his  brethren  under- 
stood that  God  by  his  hand  was  giving  them  deliv- 
erance; but  they  understood  not.  And  the  day  fol- 
lowing he  appeared  unto  them  as  they  strove,  and 
would  have  set  them  at  one  again,  saying,  '  Sirs,  ye  are 
brethren;  why  do  ye  wrong  one  to  another?' 

' '  But  he  that  did  his  neighbor  wrong  thrust  him  away, 
saying,  'Who  made  thee  a  ruler  and  a  judge  over  us? 
Wouldest  thou  kill  me,  as  thou  killedst  the  Egyptian 
yesterday?' 

"And  Moses  fled  at  this  saying,  and  became  a  so- 
journer in  the  land  of  Midian,  where  he  begat  two  sons. 
And  when  forty  years  were  fulfilled,  an  angel  appeared 
to  him  in  the  wilderness  of  mount  Sinai,  in  a  flame  of 
fire  in  a  bush.  And  when  Moses  saw  it,  he  wondered  at 
the  sight:  and  as  he  drew  near  to  behold,  there  came  a 
voice  of  the  Lord,  *  I  am  the  God  of  thy  fathers,  the  God 
of  Abraham,  and  of  Isaac,  and  of  Jacob. '  And  Moses 
trembled,  and  durst  not  behold. 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  'Loose  the  shoes  from 
thy  feet:  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy 
ground.  I  have  surely  seen  the  affliction  of  my  people 
that  is  in  Egypt,  and  have  heard  their  groaning,  and  I 
am  come  down  to  deliver  them:  and  now  come,  I  will 
send  thee  into  Egypt. ' 

"This  Moses  whom  they  refused,  saying  'Who  made 
thee  a  ruler  and  a  judge?'  him  hath  God  sent  to  be 


Stephen's  defence  29 

both  a  ruler  and  a  deliverer  with  the  hand  of  the  angel 
that  appeared  to  him  in  the  bush.  This  man  led  them 
forth,  having  wrought  wonders  and  signs  in  Egypt,  and 
in  the  Red  sea,  and  in  the  wilderness  forty  years.  This 
is  that  Moses,  who  said  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  'A 
prophet  shall  God  raise  up  unto  you  from  among  your 
brethren,  like  unto  me. '  This  is  he  that  was  in  the 
church  in  the  wilderness  with  the  angel  that  spake  to 
him  in  the  mount  Sinai,  and  with  our  fathers:  who  re- 
ceived living  oracles  to  give  unto  us:  to  whom  our 
fathers  would  not  be  obedient,  but  thrust  him  from 
them,  and  turned  back  in  their  hearts  unto  Egypt, 
saying  unto  Aaron,  '  Make  us  gods  that  shall  go  before 
us:  for  as  for  this  Moses,  who  led  us  forth  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  we  know  not  what  is  become  of  him. ' 
And  they  made  a  calf  in  those  days,  and  brought  a 
sacrifice  unto  the  idol,  and  rejoiced  in  the  works  of 
their  hands. 

"But  God  turned,  and  gave  them  up  to  serve  the 
host  of  heaven;  as  it  is  written  in  the  book  of  the 
prophets, 

'Did  ye  offer  unto  me  slain  beasts  and  sacrifices 
Forty  years  in  the  wilderness,  O  house  of  Israel? 
And  ye  took  up  the  tabernacle  of  Moloch, 
And  the  star  of  the  god  Rephan, 
The    figures  which  ye  made  to  worship  them: 
And  I  will  carry  you  away  beyond  Babylon.' 

"Our  fathers  had  the  tabernacle  of  the  testimony  in 
the  wilderness,  even  as  he  appointed  who  spake  unto 
Moses,  that  he  should  make  it  according  to  the  figure 
that  he  had  seen.  Which  also  our  fathers,  in  their 
turn,  brought  in  with  Joshua  when  they  entered  on  the 
possession  of  the  nations,  that  God  thrust  out  before 
the  face  of  our  fathers,  unto  the  days  of  David;  who 
found  favor  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  asked  to  find  a 
habitation  for  the  God  of  Jacob.     But  Solomon  built 


30  HIS   FRIENDS 

him  a  house,  Howbeit  the  Most  High  dwelleth  not  in 
houses  made  with  hands;  as  saith  the  prophet, 

'The  heaven  is  my  throne, 

And  the  earth  the  footstool  of  my  feet: 

What  manner  of  house  will  ye  build  me?  saith 
the  Lord: 

Or  what  is  the  place  of  my  rest? 

Did  not  my  hand  make  all  these  things?* 

"Ye  stiff  necked  and  uncircumcised  in  heart  and  ears, 
ye  do  always  resist  the  Holy  Spirit :  as  your  fathers  did, 
so  do  ye.  Which  of  the  prophets  did  not  your  fathers 
persecute?  and  they  killed  them  that  showed  before  of 
the  coming  of  the  Righteous  One;  of  whom  ye  have 
now  become  betrayers  and  murderers;  ye  who  received 
the  law  as  it  was  ordained  by  angels,  and  kept  it  not." 

Martyrdom  of  Stephen. 

Now  when  they  heard  these  things,  they  were  cut 
to  the  heart,  and  they  gnashed  on  him  with  their  teeth. 

But  he,  being  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  looked  up  sted- 
fastly  into  heaven,  and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and  Jesus 
standing  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  and  said,  "Behold, 
I  see  the  heavens  opened,  and  the  Son  of  man  standing 
on  the  right  hand  of  God. " 

But  they  cried  out  with  a  loud  voice,  and  stopped 
their  ears,  and  rushed  upon  him  with  one  accord;  and 
they  cast  him  out  of  the  city,  and  stoned  nim. 

And  he  kneeled  down,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
"Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge." 

And  when  he  had  said  this,  he  fell  asleep. 

Great  Persecution. 

And  devout  men  buried  Stephen,  and  made  great 
lamentation  over  him. 

And  there  arose  on  that  day  a  great  persecution 
against  the  church  which  was  in  Jerusalem;  and  they 


PHILIP  IN  SAMARIA  31 

were  all  scattered  abroad  throughout  the  regions  of 
Judaea  and  Samaria,  except  the  apostles. 

They  therefore  that  were  scattered  abroad  went 
about   preaching   the   word. 

Philip  in  Samaria. 

And  Philip  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria, 
and  proclaimed  unto  them  the  Christ. 

And  the  multitudes  gave  heed  with  one  accord  unto 
the  things  that  were  spoken  by  Philip,  when  they  heard, 
and  saw  the  signs  which  he  did.  For  from  many  of 
those  that  had  unclean  spirits,  they  came  out,  crying 
with  a  loud  voice:  and  many  that  were  palsied,  and 
that  were  lame,  were  healed.  And  there  was  much 
joy  in  that  city. 

But  there  was  a  certain  man,  Simon  by  name,  who 
beforetime  in  the  city  used  sorcery,  and  amazed  the 
people  of  Samaria,  giving  out  that  himself  was  some 
great  one:  to  whom  they  all  gave  heed,  from  the  least 
to  the  greatest,  saying,  "This  man  is  that  power  of 
God  Vv^hich  is  called  Great."  And  they  gave  heed  to 
him,  because  that  of  long  time  he  had  amazed  them 
with  his  sorceries. 

But  when  they  believed  Philip  preaching  good  tidings 
concerning  the  kingdom  of  God  and  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men  and  women. 
And  Simon  also  himself  believed:  and  being  baptized, 
he  continued  with  Phihp;  and  beholding  signs  and 
great  miracles  wrought,  he  was  amazed. 

Now  when  the  apostles  that  were  at  Jerusalem  heard 
that  Samaria  had  received  the  word  of  God,  they  sent 
unto  them  Peter  and  John:  who,  when  they  were  come 
down,  prayed  for  them,  that  they  might  receive  the 
Holy  Spirit:  for  as  yet  it  was  fallen  upon  none  of  them: 
only  they  had  been  baptized  into  the  name  of  the  Lord 


32  HIS  FRIENDS 

Jesus.     Then  laid  they  their  hands  on  them,  and  they 
received  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Now  when  Simon  saw  that  through  the  laying  on  of 
the  apostles'  hands  the  Holy  Spirit  was  given,  he  offered 
them  money,  saying,  "Give  me  also  this  power,  that 
on  whomsoever  I  lay  my  hands,  he  may  receive  the 
Holy  Spirit. " 

But  Peter  said  unto  him,  "Thy  silver  perish  with 
thee,  because  thou  hast  thought  to  obtain  the  gift  of 
God  with  mone3^  Thou  hast  neither  part  nor  lot  in 
this  matter:  for  thy  heart  is  not  right  before  God. 
Repent  therefore  of  this  thy  wickedness,  and  pray  the 
Lord,  if  perhaps  the  thought  of  thy  heart  shall  be  for- 
given thee.  For  I  see  that  thou  art  in  the  gall  of  bitter- 
ness and  in  the  bond  of  iniquity.  " 

And  Simon  answered  and  said,  "Pray  ye  for  me  to 
the  Lord,  that  none  of  the  things  which  ye  have  spoken 
come  upon  me. " 

They  therefore,  when  they  had  testified  and  spoken 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  returned  to  Jerusalem,  and 
preached  the  gospel  to  many  villages  of  the  Samari- 
tans. 

Philip  and  the  Ethiopian. 

But  an  angel  of  the  Lord  spake  unto  Philip,  saying, 
"Arise,  and  go  toward  the  south  unto  the  way  that 
goeth  down  from  Jerusalem  unto  Gaza."  The  same 
is  desert. 

And  he  arose  and  went:  and  behold, a  man  of  EtJiio- 
pia,  a  eunuch  of  great  authority  under  Candace,  queen 
of  the  Ethiopians,  who  was  over  all  her  treasure,  who 
had  come  to  Jerusalem  to  worship;  and  he  was  return- 
ing and  sitting  in  his  chariot,  and  was  reading  the 
prophet  Isaiah. 

And  the  Spirit  said  unto  Philip,  "Go  near,  and  join 
thyself    to    this    chariot." 


PHILIP  AND  THE  ETHIOPIAN  33 

And  Philip  ran  to  him,  and  heard  him  reading  Isaiah 
the  prophet,  and  said,  "  Understandest  thou  what  thou 
readest? " 

And  he  said,  "How  can  I,  except  some  one  shall 
guide  me  ? ' ' 

And  he  besought  Philip  to  come  up  and  sit  with  him. 
Now  the  passage  of  the  scripture  which  he  was  reading 
was  this, 

'He  was  led  as  a  sheep  to  the  slaughter; 

And  as  a  lamb  before  his  shearer  is  dumb, 

So  he  openeth  not  his  mouth: 

In  his  humiliation  his  judgment  was  taken  away; 

His  generation  who  shall  declare? 

For  his  life  is  taken  from  the  earth.' 

And  the  eunuch  answered  Philip,  and  said,  "I  pray 
thee,  of  whom  speaketh  the  prophet  this?  of  himself, 
or  of  some  other?" 

And  Philip  opened  his  mouth,  and  beginning  from 
this  scripture,  preached  unto  him  Jesus. 

And  as  they  went  on  the  way,  they  came  unto  a 
certain  water;  and  the  eunuch  saith,  "Behold,  here  is 
water;  what  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptized? " 

And  he  commanded  the  chariot  to  stand  still:  and 
they  both  went  down  into  the  water,  both  Philip  and 
the  eunuch;  and  he  baptized  him.  And  when  they 
came  up  out  of  the  water,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  caught 
away  PhiHp;  and  the  eunuch  saw  him  no  more,  for  he 
went  on  his  wa}^  rejoicing. 

But  Philip  was  found  at  Azotus:  and  passing 
through  he  preached  the  gospel  to  all  the  cities  till 
he  came  to  Caesarea. 

So  the  church  throughout  all  Judaea  and  Galilee  and 
Samaria  had  peace,  being  edified:  and,  walking  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  and  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
was  multiplied. 


34  his  friends 

Miracles  Wrought  by  Peter. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  as  Peter  went  throughout  all 
parts,  he  came  down  also  to  the  saints  that  dwelt  at 
Lydda.  And  there  he  found  a  certain  man  named 
/5^neas,  who  had  kept  his  bed  eight  years;  for  he  was 
palsied. 

And  Peter  said  unto  him,  "^neas,  Jesus  Christ  heal- 
eth  thee:  arise,  and  make  thy  bed." 

And  straightway  he  arose.  And  all  that  dwelt  at 
Lydda  and  in  Sharon  saw  him,  and  they  turned  to  the 
Lord. 

Now  there  was  at  Joppa  a  certain  disciple  named 
Tabitha,  which  by  interpretation  is  called  Dorcas: 
this  woman  was  full  of  good  works  and  almsdeeds  which 
she  did.  And  it  came  to  pass  in  those  days,  that  she 
fell  sick,  and  died:  and  when  they  had  washed  her,  they 
laid  her  in  an  upper  chamber. 

And  as  Lydda  was  nigh  unto  Joppa,  the  disciples, 
hearing  that  Peter  was  there,  sent  two  men  unto  him, 
entreating  him,  "Delay  not  to  come  on  unto  us." 

And  Peter  arose  and  went  with  them.  And  when 
he  was  come,  they  brought  him  into  the  upper  chamber: 
and  all  the  widows  stood  by  him  weeping,  and  showing 
the  coats  and  garments  which  Dorcas  made,  while  she 
was  with  them. 

But  Peter  put  them  all  forth,  and  kneeled  down, 
and  prayed;  and  turning  to  the  body,  he  said,  "Tabitha, 
arise." 

And  she  opened  her  eyes;  and  when  she  saw  Peter, 
she  sat  up.  And  he  gave  her  his  hand,  and  raised  her 
up;  and  calling  the  saints  and  widows,  he  presented 
her  alive. 

And  it  became  known  throughout  all  Joppa:  and 
many  believed  on  the  Lord.  And  it  came  to  pass,  that 
he  abode  many  days  in  Joppa  with  OT\e  Simon  a  tanner. 


the  vision  of  cornelius  35 

The  Vision  of  Cornelius. 

Now  there  was  a  certain  man  in  Cassarea,  Cornelius 
by  name,  a  centurion  of  the  band  called  the  Italian 
band,  a  devout  man,  and  one  that  feared  God  with 
all  his  house,  who  gave  much  alms  to  the  people,  and 
prayed  to  God  always.  He  saw  in  a  vision  openly, 
as  it  were  about  the  ninth  hour  of  the  day,  an  angel 
of  God  coming  in  unto  him,  and  saying  to  him,  "Cor- 
nelius." 

And  he,  fastening  his  eyes  upon  him,  and  being 
affrighted,  said,  "What  is  it.  Lord?" 

And  he  said  unto  him,  "Thy  prayers  and  thine  alms 
are  gone  up  for  a  memorial  before  God.  And  now 
send  men  to  Joppa,  and  fetch  one  Simon,  who  is  sur- 
named  Peter :  he  lodgeth  with  one  Simon  a  tanner, 
whose  house  is  by  the  seaside." 

And  when  the  angel  that  spake  unto  him  was  de- 
parted, he  called  two  of  his  household-servants,  and 
a  devout  soldier  of  them  that  waited  on  him  continu- 
ally; and  having  rehearsed  all  things  unto  them,  he 
sent  them  to  Joppa. 

The  Vision  of  Peter. 

Now  on  the  morrow,  as  they  were  on  their  journey, 
and  drew  nigh  unto  the  city,  Peter  went  up  upon  the 
housetop  to  pray,  about  the  sixth  hour :  and  he  became 
hungry,  and  desired  to  eat:  but  while  they  made  ready, 
he  fell  into  a  trance;  and  he  beholdeth  the  heaven 
opened,  and  a  certain  vessel  descending,  as  it  were  a 
great  sheet,  let  down  by  four  corners  upon  the  earth: 
wherein  were  all  manner  of  fourfooted  beasts  and  creep- 
ing things  of  the  earth  and  birds  of  the  heaven. 

And  there  came  a  voice  to  him,  "Rise,  Peter;  kill 
and  eat." 

But  Peter  said,  "Not  so.  Lord;  for  I  have  never 
eaten  anything  that  is  common  and  unclean.'.' 


36  HIS   FRIENDS 

And  a  voice  came  unto  him  again  the  second  time, 
*'What  God  hath  cleansed,  make  not  thou  common." 

And  this  was  done  thrice :  and  straightway  the  vessel 
was  received  up  into  heaven. 

The  Arrival  of  the  Messengers. 

Now  while  Peter  was  much  perplexed  in  himself 
what  the  vision  which  he  had  seen  might  mean,  be- 
hold, the  men  that  were  sent  by  Cornelius,  having 
made  inquiry  for  Simon's  house,  stood  before  the  gate, 
and  called  and  asked  whether  Simon,  who  was  sur- 
named  Peter,  were  lodging  there. 

And  while  Peter  thought  on  the  vision,  the  Spirit 
said  unto  him,  "Behold,  three  men  seek  thee.  But 
arise,  and  get  thee  down,  and  go  with  them,  nothing 
doubting:  for  I  have  sent  them." 

And  Peter  went  down  to  the  men,  and  said,  "Behold, 
i  am  he  whom  ye  seek:  what  is  the  cause  wherefore  ye 
are  come?" 

And  they  said,  "Cornelius  a  centurion,  a  righteous 
man  and  one  that  feareth  God,  and  well  reported  of 
by  all  the  nation  of  the  Jews,  was  warned  of  God  by  a 
holy  angel  to  send  for  thee  into  his  house,  and  to  hear 
words  from  thee." 

So  he  called  them  in  and  lodged  them. 

Peter  and  Cornplius. 

And  on  the  morrow  he  arose  and  went  forth  with 
them,  and  certain  of  the  brethren  from  Joppa  accom- 
panied him.  And  on  the  morrow  they  entered  into 
Caesarea.  And  Cornelius  was  waiting  for  them,  hav- 
ing called  together  his  kinsmen  and  his  near  friends. 

And  when  it  came  to  pass  that  Peter  entered,  Cor- 
nelius met  him,  and  fell  down  at  his  feet,  and  wor- 
shipped him. 


PETER  AND  CORNELIUS  37 

But  Peter  raised  him  up,  saying,  "Stand  up;  I  my- 
self also  am  a  man." 

And  as  he  talked  with  him,  he  went  in,  and  findeth 
many  come  together:  and  he  said  unto  them,  "Ye  your- 
selves know  how  it  is  an  unlawful  thing  for  a  man  that 
is  a  Jew  to  join  himself  or  come  unto  one  of  another 
nation;  and  yet  unto  me  hath  God  showed  that  I 
should  not  call  any  man  common  or  unclean :  wherefore 
also  I  came  without  gainsaying,  when  I  was  sent  for- 
I  ask  therefore  with  what  intent  ye  sent  for  me." 

And  Cornelius  said,  "Four  days  ago,  until  this  hour, 
I  was  keeping  the  ninth  hour  of  prayer  in  my  house; 
and  behold,  a  man  stood  before  me  in  bright  apparel, 
and  saith,  'Cornelius,  thy  pra5^er  is  heard,  and  thine 
alms  are  had  in  remembrance  in  the  sight  of  God. 
Send  therefore  to  Joppa,  and  call  unto  thee  Simon, 
who  is  surnamed  Peter:  he  lodgeth  in  the  house  of 
Simon  a  tanner,  by  the  sea  side.'  Forthwith  therefore 
I  sent  to  thee;  and  thou  hast  well  done  that  thou  art 
come.  Now  therefore  we  are  all  here  present  in  the 
sight  of  God,  \o  hear  all  things  that  have  been  com- 
manded thee  of  the  Lord." 

And  Peter  opened  his  mouth,  and  said,  "Of  a  truth 
I  perceive  that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons:  but  in 
every  nation  he  that  feareth  him,  and  worketh  right- 
eousness, is  acceptable  to  him.  The  word  which  he  sent 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  preaching  good  tidings  of 
peace  by  Jesus  Christ  (he  is  Lord  of  all) — that  saying 
ye  yourselves  know,  which  was  published  throughout 
all  Judcea,  beginning  from  GaHlee,  after  the  baptism 
which  John  preached;  even  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  how 
God  anointed  him  with  the  Holy  Spirit  and  with  power: 
who  went  about  doing  good,  and  healing  all  that  were 
oppressed  of  the  devil ;  for  God  was  with  him 

"And  we  are  witnesses  of  all  things  which  he  did 
both  in  the  country  of  the  Jews,  and  in  Jerusalem; 


38  HIS  FRIENDS 

whom  also  they  slew,  hanging  him  on  a  tree.  Him 
God  raised  up  the  third  day,  and  gave  him  to  be  made 
manifest,  not  to  all  the  people,  but  unto  witnesses  that 
were  chosen  before  of  God,  even  to  us,  who  ate  and 
drank  with  him  after  he  rose  from  the  dead.  And  he 
charged  us  to  preach  unto  the  people,  and  to  testify 
that  this  is  he  who  is  ordained  of  God  to  be  the  Judge 
of  the  living  and  the  dead.  To  him  bear  all  the 
prophets  witness,  that  through  his  name  every  one 
that  belie veth  on  him  shall  receive  remission  of  sins." 

While  Peter  yet  spake  these  words,  the  Holy  Spirit 
fell  on  all  them  that  heard  the  word.  And  they  of  the 
circumcision  that  believed  were  amazed,  as  many  as 
came  with  Peter,  because  that  on  the  Gentiles  also 
was  poured  out  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  '  For  they 
heard  them  speak  with  tongues,  and  magnify  God. 

Then  answered  Peter,  "Can  any  man  forbid  the 
water,  that  these  should  not  be  baptized,  who  have 
receiv^ed  the  Holy  Spirit  as  well  as  we?" 

And  he  commanded  them  to  be  baptized  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Then  prayed  they  him  to  tarry  cer- 
tain days. 

Peter's  Explanation  to  the  Jews. 

Now  the  apostles  and  the  brethren  that  were  in 
Judaea  heard  that  the  Gentiles  also  had  received  the 
word  of  God.  And  when  Peter  was  come  up  to  Jeru- 
salem, they  that  were  of  the  circumcision  contended 
with  him,  saying,  "Thou  wentest  in  to  men,  uncir- 
cumcised,  and  didst  eat  with  them." 

But  Peter  began,  and  expounded  the  matter  unto 
them  in  order,  saying,  "I  was  in  the  city  of  Joppa  pray- 
ing: and  in  a  trance  I  saw  a  vision,  a  certain  vessel 
descending,  as  it  were  a  great  sheet  let  down  from 
heaven  by  four  corners;  and  it  came  even  unto  me: 
upon  which  when  I  had  fastened  mine  eyes,  I  consid- 


PETER  IMPRISONED   AND  DELIVERED  39 

ered,  and  saw  the  fourfooted  beasts  of  the  earth  and 
wild  beasts  and  creeping  things  and  birds  of  the  hea- 
ven. 

"And  I  heard  also  a  voice  saying  unto  me,  'Rise, 
Peter;  kill  and  eat.'  But  I  said,  'Not  so,  Lord:  for 
nothing  common  or  unclean  hath  ever  entered  into 
my  mouth.'  But  a  voice  answered  the  second  time 
out  of  heaven,  'What  God  hath  cleansed,  make  not 
thou  common.'  And  this  was  done  thrice:  and  all 
were  dra"\^n  up  again  into  heaven. 

"And  behold,  forthwith  three  men  stood  before  the 
house  in  which  we  were,  having  been  sent  from  Csesarea 
unto  me.  And  the  Spirit  bade  me  go  with  them, 
making  no  distinction.  And  these  six  brethren  also 
accompanied  me;  and  we  entered  into  the  man's  house; 
and  he  told  us  how  he  had  seen  the  angel  standing  in 
his  house,  and  saying,  'Send  to  Joppa,  and  fetch  Simon, 
whose  surname  is  Peter;  who  shall  speak  unto  thee 
words,  whereby  thoii  shalt  be  saved,  thou  and  all  thy 
house.' 

"And  as  I  began  to  speak,  the  Holy  Spirit  fell  on 
them,  even  as  on  us  at  the  beginning.  And  I  remem- 
bered the  word  of  the  Lord,  how  he  said,  'John  indeed 
baptized  with  water;  but  ye  shall  be  baptized  in  the 
Holy  Spirit.'  If  then  God  gave  unto  them  the  like 
gift  as  he  did  also  unto  us,  when  we  believed  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  I,  that  I  could  withstand 
God?" 

And  when  they  heard  these  things,  they  held  their 
peace,  and  glorified  God,  saying,  "Then  to  the  Gentiles 
also  hath  God  granted  repentance  unto  life," 

Peter  Imprisoned  .-vnd  Delivered. 

Now  about  that  time  Herod  the  king  put  forth  his 
hands  to  afflict  certain  of  the  church.  And  he  killed 
James  the  brother  of  John  with  the  cword.     And  when 


40  HIS  FRIENDS 

he  saw  that  it  pleased  the  Jews,  he  proceeded  to  seize 
Peter  also.  And  those  were  the  days  of  unleavened 
bread. 

And  when  he  had  taken  him,  he  put  him  in  prison, 
and  delivered  him  to  four  quaternions  of  soldiers  to 
guard  him;  intending  after  the  Passover  to  bring  him 
forth  to  the  people.  Peter  therefore  was  kept  in  the 
prison:  but  prayer  was  made  earnestly  of  the  church 
unto  God  for  him. 

And  when  Herod  was  about  to  bring  him  forth,  the 
same  night  Peter  was  sleeping  between  two  soldiers, 
bound  with  two  chains:  and  guards  before  the  door 
kept  the  prison. 

And  behold,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  stood  by  him,  and 
a  light  shined  in  the  cell:  and  he  smote  Peter  on  the 
side,  and  awoke  him,  saying,  "Rise  up,  quickly,"  And 
his  chains  fell  off  from  his  hands. 

And  the  angel  said  unto  him,  "Gird  thyself,  and  bind 
on  thy  sandals."     And  he  did  so.     > 

And  he  saith  unto  him,  "Cast  thy  garment  about 
thee,  and  follow  me." 

And  he  went  out,  and  followed;  and  he  knew  not 
that  it  was  true  which  was  done  by  the  angel,  but 
thought  he  saw  a  vision.  And  when  they  were  past 
the  first  and  the  second  guard,  they  came  unto  the 
iron  gate  that  leadeth  into  the  city;  which  opened  to 
them  of  its  own  accord:  and  they  went  out,  and  passed 
on  through  one  street;  and  straightway  the  angel  de- 
parted from  him. 

And  when  Peter  was  come  to  himself,  he  said,  "Now 
I  know  of  a  truth,  that  the  Lord  hath  sent  forth  his 
angel  and  delivered  me  out  of  the  hand  of  Herod,  and 
from  all  the  expectation  of  the  people  of  the  Jews." 

And  when  he  had  considered  the  thing,  he  came  to 
the  house  of  Mary  the  mother  of  John  whose  surname 
was  Mark;  where  many  were  gathered  together  and 


PETER  IMPRISONED  AND  DELIVERED  41 

were  praying.  And  when  he  knocked  at  the  door  of 
the  gate,  a  maid  came  to  answer,  named  Rhoda.  And 
when  she  knew  Peter's  voice,  she  opened  not  the  gate 
for  joy,  but  ran  in,  and  told  that  Peter  stood  before 
the  gate. 

And  they  said  unto  her,  "Thou  art  mad." 

But  she  confidently  affirmed  that  it  was  even  so. 

And  they  said,  "It  is  his  angel." 

But  Peter  continued  knocking:  and  when  they  had 
opened,  they  saw  him,  and  were  amazed.  But  he, 
beckoning  unto  them  with  the  hand  to  hold  their 
peace,  declared  unto  them  how  the  Lord  had  brought 
him  forth  out  of  the  prison.  And  he  said,  "Tell  these 
things  unto  James,  and  to  the  brethren."  And  he  de- 
parted, and  went  to  another  place. 

Now  as  soon  as  it  was  day,  there  was  no  small  stir 
among  the  soldiers,  what  was  become  of  Peter.  And 
when  Herod  had  sought  for  him,  and  found  him  not, 
he  examined  the  guards,  and  commanded  that  they 
should  be  put  to  death.  And  he  went  down  from  Judaea 
to  Cassarea,  and  tarried  there. 

Now  he  was  highly  displeased  with  them  of  Tyre 
and  Sidon:  and  they  came  with  one  accord  to  him,  and, 
having  made  Blastus  the  king's  chamberlain  their 
friend,  they  asked  for  peace,  because  their  country  was 
fed  from  the  king's  country. 

And  upon  a  set  day  Herod  arrayed  himself  in  royal 
apparel,  and  sat  on  the  throne,  and  made  an  oration 
unto  them. 

And  the  people  shouted,  saying,  "The  voice  of  a 
god,  and  not  of  a  man." 

And  immediately  an  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  him, 
because  he  gave  not  God  the  glory:  and  he  was  eaten 
of  worms,  and  gave  up  the  ghost. 

But  the  word  of  God  grew  and  multiplied 


A   LETTER  OF  JAMES,  THE  BROTHER  OF  THE 
LORD 

To  THE  Jewish  Christians  Throughout  the  World. 


James, 
A  Servant  of  God  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

TO 

The  Twelve  Tribes  which  are  of  the  Dispersion, 
Greeting: 

The  Value  of  Trial. 

Count  it  all  joy,  my  brethren,  when  ye  fall  into  man- 
ifold temptations;  knowing  that  the  proving  of  your 
faith  worketh  patience.  And  let  patience  have  its 
perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  lacking 
in  nothing 

The  Way  of  Wisdom. 

But  if  any  of  you  lacketh  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of 
God,  who  giveth  to  all  liberally  and  upbraideth  not; 
and  it  shall  be  given  him.  But  let  him  ask  in  faith, 
nothing  doubting :  for  he  that  doubteth  is  like  the  surge 
of  the  sea  driven  by  the  wind  and  tossed.  For  let  not 
that  man  think  that  he  shall  receive  anything  of  the 
Lord;  a  doubleminded  man,  unstable  in  all  his  ways. 

But  let  the  brother  of  low  degree  glory  in  his  high 
estate:  and  the  rich,  in  that  he  is  made  low:  because 
as  the  flower  of  the  grass  he  shall  pass  away.  For 
the  sun  ariseth  with  the  scorching  wind,  and  withereth 
the  grass;  and  the  flower  thereof  falleth,  and  the  grace 
of  the  fashion  of  it  perisheth :  so  also  shall  the  rich  man 
fade  away  in  his  goings. 

42 


the  sources  of  good  and  evil  43 

The  Sources  of  Good  and  Evil. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation;  for 
when  he  hath  been  approved,  he  shall  receive  the  crown 
of  life,  which  the  Lord  promised  to  them  that  love  him. 
Let  no  man  say  when  he  is  tempted,  I  am  tempted  of 
God;  for  God  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil,  and  he 
himself  tempteth  no  man:  but  each  man  is  tempted, 
when  he  is  drawn  away  by  his  own  lust,  and  enticed. 
Then  the  lust, when  it'  hath  conceived, beareth  sin:  and 
the  sin,  when  it  is  fullgrown,  bringeth  forth  death. 
Be  not  deceived,  my  beloved  brethren. 

Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above, 
coming  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  can 
be  no  variation,  neither  shadow  that  is  cast  by  turning. 
Of  his  own  will  he  brought  us  forth  by  the  word  of 
truth,  that  we  should  be  a  kind  of  first-fruits  of  his 
creatures. 

Receiving  the  Word. 

Ye  know  this,  my  beloved  brethren.  But  let  every 
man  be  swift  to  hear,  slow  to  speak,  slow  to  wrath:  for 
the  wrath  of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God. 
Wherefore  putting  away  all  filthiness  and  overflowing 
of  wickedness,  receive  with  meekness  the  implanted 
word,  which  is  able  to  save  your  souls. 

But  be  ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only, 
deluding  your  own  selves.  For  if  any  one  is  a  hearer  of 
the  word  and  not  a  doer,  he  is  like  unto  a  man  beholding 
his  natural  face  in  a  mirror:  for  he  beholdeth  himself, 
and  goeth  away,  and  straightway  forgetteth  what  man- 
ner of  man  he  was.  But  he  that  looketh  into  the  per- 
fect law,  the  law  of  liberty,  and  so  continueth,  being 
not  a  hearer  that  forgetteth  but  a  doer  that  worketh, 
this  man  shall  be  blessed  in  his  doing. 

If  any  man  thinketh  himself  to  be  religious,  while  he 
bridleth  not  his  tongue  but  deceiveth  his  heart,  this 


44  A  LETTER  OiF  JAMfi§ 

man's  religion  is  vain.  Pure  religion  and  undefiled 
before  our  God  and  Father  is  this,  to  visit  the  fatherless 
and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep  oneself  un- 
spotted from  the  world. 

The  Principles  of  Brotherhood. 

My  brethren,  hold  not  the  faith  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Lord  of  glory,  with  respect  of  persons.  For 
if  there  come  into  your  synagogue  a  man  with  a  gold 
ring,  in  fine  clothing,  and  there  come  in  also  a  poor 
man  in  vile  clothing;  and  ye  have  regard  to  him  that 
weareth  the  fine  clothing,  and  say,  "Sit  thou  here  in  a 
good  place;"  and  ye  say  to  the  poor  man,  "Stand  thou 
there,  or  sit  under  my  footstool;"  do  ye  not  make  dis- 
tinctions among  yourselves,  and  become  judges  with 
evil  thoughts? 

Hearken,  my  beloved  brethren;  did  not  God  choose 
them  that  are  poor  as  to  the  world  to  be  rich  in  faith, 
and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  which  he  promised  to  them 
that  love  him?  But  ye  have  dishonored  the  poor  man. 
Do  not  the  rich  oppress  you,  and  themselves  drag  you 
before  the  judgment-seats?  Do  not  they  blaspheme 
the  honorable  name  by  which  ye  are  called?  Howbeit 
if  ye  fulfil  the  royal  law,  according  to  the  scripture, 
"Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself,"  ye  do  well: 
but  if  ye  have  respect  of  persons,  ye  commit  sin,  being 
convicted  by  the  law  as  transgressors. 

For  whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law,  and  yet 
stumble  in  one  point,  he  is  become  guilty  of  all.  For 
he  that  said,  "Do  not  commit  adultery,  "  said  also,  "Do 
not  kill. "  Now  if  thou  dost  not  commit  adultery,  but 
kill  est,  thou  art  become  a  transgressor  of  the  law.  So 
speak  ye,  and  so  do,  as  men  that  are  to  be  judged  by 
a  law  of  liberty.  For  judgment  is  without  mercy  to  him 
that  hath  showed  no  mercy:  mercy  glorieth  against 
judgment. 


faith  without  works  45 

Faith  Without  Works. 

What  doth  it  profit,  my  brethren,  if  a  man  say  he 
hath  faith,  but  have  not  works?  can  that  faith  save 
him?  If  a  brother  or  sister  be  naked  and  in  lack  of 
daily  food,  and  one  of  you  say  unto  them,  "Go  in 
peace,  be  ye  warmed  and  filled";  and  yet  ye  give  them 
not  the  things  needful  to  the  body ;  what  doth  it  profit  ? 
Even  so  faith,  if  it  have  not  works,  is  dead  in  itself. 

Yea,  a  man  will  say,  "Thou  hast  faith,  and  I  have 
works:  show  me  thy  faith  apart  from  thy  works,  and  I 
by  my  works  will  show  thee  my  faith."  Thou  believ- 
est  that  God  is  one;  thou  doest  well:  the  demons  also 
believe,    and    shudder. 

But  wilt  thou  know,  O  vain  man,  that  faith  apart 
from  works  is  barren?  Was  not  Abraham  our  father, 
justified  by  works,  in  that  he  offered  up  Isaac  his  son, 
upon  the  altar?  Thou  seest  that  faith  wrought  with 
his  works,  and  by  works  was  faith  made  perfect;  and  the 
scripture  was  fulfilled  which  saith,  "And  Abraham 
believed  God,  and  it  was  reckoned  unto  him  for  right- 
eousness; and  he  was  called  the  friend  of  God."  Ye  see 
that  by  works  a  man  is  justified,  and  not  only  by  faith. 

And  in  like  manner  was  not  also  Rahab  the  harlot 
justified  by  works,  in  that  she  received  the  messengers, 
and  sent  them  out  another  way?  For  as  the  body 
apart  from  the  spirit  is  dead,  even  so  faith  apart  from 
works  is  dead. 

The  Tongue. 

Be  not  many  of  you  teachers,  my  brethren,  knowing 
that  we  shall  receive  heavier  judgment.  For  in  many 
things   we   all   stumble. 

If  any  stumbleth  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect 
man,  able  to  bridle  the  whole  body  also.  Now  if  we 
put  the  horses'  bridles  into  their  mouths  that  they  may 
obey  us,  we  turn  about  their  whole  body  also.     Behold, 


46  A  LETTER  OF  JAMES 

the  ships  also,  though  they  are  so  great  and  are  driven 
by  rough  winds,  are  yet  turned  about  by  a  very  small 
rudder,  whither  the  impulse  of  the  steersman  willeth. 
So  the  tongue  also  is  a  little  member,  and  boasteth 
great  things.  Behold,  how  much  wood  is  kindled  by 
how  small  a  fire ! 

And  the  tongue  is  a  fire :  the  world  of  iniquity  among 
our  members  is  the  tongue,  which  defileth  the  whole 
body,  and  setteth  on  fire  the  wheel  of  nature,  and  is  set 
on  fire  by  hell.  For  every  kind  of  beasts  and  birds,  of 
creeping  things  and  things  in  the  sea,  is  tamed,  and 
hath  been  tamed  by  mankind:  but  the  tongue  can  no 
man  tame;  it  is  a  restless  evil,  it  is  full  of  deadly  poison. 

Therewith  bless  we  the  Lord  and  Father ;  and  there- 
with curse  we  men,  who  are  made  after  the  likeness  of 
God :  out  of  the  same  mouth  cometh  forth  blessing  and 
cursing.  My  brethren,  these  things  ought  not  so  to  be. 
Doth  the  fountain  send  forth  from  the  same  opening 
sweet  water  and  bitter?  can  a  fig  tree,  my  brethren, 
yield  olives,  or  a  vine  figs?  neither  can  salt  water  yield 
sweet. 

Heavenly  Wisdom. 

Who  is  wise  and  understanding  among  you?  let  him 
show  by  his  good  life  his  works  in  meekness  of  wisdom. 
But  if  ye  have  bitter  jealousy  and  faction  in  your  heart, 
glory  not  and  lie  not  against  the  truth. 

This  wisdom  is  not  a  wisdom  that  cometh  down 
from  above,  but  is  earthly,  sensual,  devilish.  For 
where  jealousy  and  faction  are,  there  is  confusion  and 
every  vile  deed. 

But  the  wisdom  that  is  from  above  is  first  pure,  then 
peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy 
and  good  fruits,  without  variance,  without  hypocrisy. 
And  the  fruit  of  righteousness  is  sown  in  peace  for  them 
that  make  peace. 


the  source  of  strife  47 

The  Source  of  Strife. 

Whence  come  wars  and  whence  come  fightings 
among  you?  come  they  not  hence,  even  of  your  pleasures 
that  war  in  your  members?  Ye  lust, and  have  not:  ye 
kill,  and  covet,  and  cannot  obtain:  ye  fight  and  war; 
ye  have  not,  because  ye  ask  not.  Ye  ask,  and  receive 
not,  because  ye  ask  amiss,  that  ye  may  spend  it  in  your 
pleasures. 

Ye  adulteresses,  know  ye  not  that  the  friendship  of 
the  world  is  enmity  with  God?  Whosoever  therefore 
would  be  a  friend  of  the  world  maketh  himself  an  enemy 
of  God. 

Or  think  ye  that  the  scripture  speaketh  in  vain? 
Doth  the  spirit  which  he  made  to  dwell  in  us  long  unto 
envying?  But  he  giveth  more  grace.  Wherefore  the 
scripture  saith,  "God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth 
grace  to  the  humble.  " 

Be  subject  therefore  unto  God;  but  resist  the  devil, 
and  he  will  flee  from  you.  Draw  nigh  to  God,  and  he 
will  draw  nigh  to  you.  Cleanse  your  hands,  ye  sinners; 
and  purify  your  hearts,  ye  doubleminded.  Be  aiifiicted, 
and  mourn,  and  weep :  let  your  laughter  be  turned  to 
mourning,  and  your  joy  to  heaviness.  Humble  your- 
selves in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  exalt  you. 

The  Sin  of  Judging. 

Speak  not  one  against  another,  brethren.  He  that 
speaketh  against  a  brother,  or  judgeth  his  brother, 
speaketh  against  the  law,  and  judgeth  the  law:  but  if 
thou  judgest  the  law,  thou  art  not  a  doer  of  the  law, 
but  a  judge.  One  only  is  the  lawgiver  and  judge,  even 
he  who  is  able  to  save  and  to  destroy:  but  who  art 
thou  that  judgest  thy  neighbor? 


48  a  letter  of  james 

The  Uncertainty  of  Life. 

Come  now,  ye  that  say,  "To-day  or  to-morrow  we 
will  go  into  this  city,  and  spend  a  year  there,  and  trade, 
and  get  gain:"  whereas  ye  know  not  what  shall  be  on 
the  morrow.  What  is  your  life?  For  ye  are  a  vapor 
that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth 
away. 

For  that  ye  ought  to  say,  "If  the  Lord  will,  v/e  shall 
both  live,  and  do  this  or  that."  But  now  ye  glory  in 
your  vauntings:  all  such  glorying  is  evil.  To  him 
therefore  that  knoweth  to  do  good,  and  doeth  it  not, 
to  him  it  is  sin. 

The  Failure  of  Riches. 

Come  now,  ye  rich,  weep  and  howl  for  your  miseries 
that  are  coming  upon  you.  Your  riches  are  corrupted, 
and  your  garments  are  moth-eaten.  Your  gold  and 
your  silver  are  rusted;  and  their  rust  shall  be  for  a  tes- 
timony against  you,  and  shall  eat  your  flesh  as  fire. 
Ye  have  laid  up  your  treasure  in  the  last  days. 

Behold,  the  hire  of  the  laborers  who  mowed  your 
fields,  which  is  of  you  kept  back  by  fraud,  crieth  out: 
and  the  cries  of  them  that  reaped  have  entered  into  the 
ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth.  Ye  have  lived  delicately 
on  the  earth,  and  taken  your  pleasure;  ye  have  nour- 
ished your  hearts  in  a  day  of  slaughter.  Ye  have 
condemned,  ye  have  killed  the  righteous  one;  he  doth 
not  resist  you. 

Patient  Waiting. 

Be  patient  therefore,  brethren,  until  the  coming  of 
Me  Lord.  Behold,  the  husbandman  waiteth  for  the 
fjrecious  fruit  of  the  earth,  being  patient  over  it,  until 
tt  receive  the  early  and  latter  rain.  Be  ye  also  patienl: 
establish  your  hearts:  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  i" 
at  hand.     Murmur  not,  brethren,  one  against  another. 


SIMPLE   SPEAKING  49 

that  ye  be  not  judged:  behold,  the  judge  standeth 
before  the  doors.  Take,  brethren,  for  an  example 
of  suffering  and  of  patience,  the  prophets  who  spake 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Behold,  we  call  them  blessed 
that  endured:  ye  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job, 
and  have  seen  the  end  of  the  Lord,  how  that  the  Lord 
is  full  of  pity,  and  merciful. 

Simple  Speaking. 

But  above  all  things,  my  brethren,  swear  not,  neither 
by  the  heaven,  nor  by  the  earth,  nor  by  any  other 
oath:  but  let  your  yea  be  yea,  and  your  nay,  nay; 
that  ye  fall  not  under  judgment. 

The  Power  of  Prayer. 

Is  any  among  you  suffering?  let  him  pray.  Is  any 
cheerful?  let  him  sing  praise.  Is  any  among  you  sick? 
let  him  call  for  the  elders  of  the  church;  and  let  them 
pray  over  him,  anointing  him  with  oil  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord:  and  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  him  that 
is  sick,  and  the  Lord  shall  raise  him  up;  and  if  he  have 
committed  sins,  it  shall  be  forgiven  him. 

Confess  therefore  your  sins  one  to  another,  and  pray 
one  for  another,  that  ye  may  be  healed.  The  suppli- 
cation of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much  in  its  working. 

Elijah  was  a  man  of  like  passions  with  us,  and  he 
prayed  fervently  that  it  might  not  rain;  and  it  rained 
not  on  the  earth  for  three  years  and  six  months.  And 
he  prayed  again;  and  the  heaven  gave  rain,  and  the 
earth  brought  forth  her  fruit. 

The  Best  Work. 

My  brethren,  if  any  among  you  err  from  the  truth, 
and  one  convert  him;  let  him  know,  that  he  who  con- 
verteth  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way  shall  save  a 
soul  from  death,  and  shall  cover  a  multitude  of  sins. 


A  LETTER  OF  PETER 
To  THE  Jewish  Christians  Throughout  the  World. 


Peter,  an  Apostle  of  Jesus  Christ 

TO 

The  Elect  who  are  Sojourners  of  the  Dispersion 

IN 

PoNTUs,  Galatia,  Cappadocia,  Asia    and    Bithynia 

According  to   the  foreknowledge   of   God  the   Father 

in  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  unto  obedience 

and  sprinkHng  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ : 

Grace  to  you  and  Peace  be  multiplied. 

The  Joy  of  Salvation. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  according  to  his  great  mercy  begat  us  again 
unto  a  living  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  dead,  unto  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and 
undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven 
for  you,  who  by  the  power  of  God  are  guarded  through 
faith  unto  a  salvation  ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last 
time. 

Wherein  ye  greatly  rejoice,  though  now  for  a  little 
while,  if  need  be,  ye  have  been  put  to  grief  in  manifold 
trials,  that  the  proof  of  your  faith,  being  more  precious 
than  gold  that  perisheth  though  it  is  proved  by  fire, 
may  be  found  unto  praise  and  glory  and  honor  at  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ:  whom  not  having  seen  ye 
love;  on  whom,  though  now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  be- 
lieving, ye  rejoice  greatly  with  joy  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory:  receiving  the  end  of  your  faith,  even  the 
salvation  of  your  souls. 

Concerning  which  salvation  the  prophets  sought  and 
searched  dihgently,  who  prophesied  of  the  grace  that 
50 


EARNEST  LIVING  51 

should  come  unto  you:  searching  what  time  or  what 
manner  of  time  the  Spirit  of  Christ  which  was  in  them 
did  point  unto,  when  it  testified  beforehand  the  suffer- 
ings of  Christ,  and  the  glories  that  should  follow  them. 
To  whom  it  was  revealed,  that  not  unto  themselves, 
but  unto  you,  did  they  minister  these  things,  which 
now  have  been  announced  unto  you  through  them  that 
preached  the  gospel  unto  you  by  the  Holy  Spirit  sent 
forth  from  heaven;  which  things  angels  desire  to  look 
into. 

Earnest  Living. 

Wherefore  girding  up  the  loins  of  your  mind,  be 
sober  and  set  your  hope  perfectly  on  the  grace  that  is- 
to  be  brought  unto  you  at  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ ; 
as  children  of  obedience,  not  fashioning  yourselves- 
according  to  your  former  lusts  in  the  time  of  your  ig- 
norance: but  liK:e  as  he  who  called  you  is  holy,  be  ye 
yourselves  also  holy  in  all  manner  of  living;  because 
it  is  written,  "Ye  shall  be  holy;  for  I  am  holy. "  And 
if  ye  call  on  him  as  Father,  who  without  respect  of 
persons  judgeth  according  to  each  man's  work,  pass 
the  time  of  your  sojourning  in  fear:  knowing  that  ye 
were  redeemed,  not  with  corruptible  things,  with 
silver  or  gold,  from  your  vain  manner  of  life  handed 
down  from  your  fathers;  but  with  precious  blood,  as 
of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot,  even  the 
blood  of  Christ:  who  was  foreknown  indeed  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  but  was  manifested  at  the 
end  of  the  times  for  your  sake,  who  through  him  are 
believers  in  God,  that  raised  him  from  the  dead,  and 
gave  him  glory;  so  that  your  faith  and  hope  might  be 
in  God. 

Unfeigned  Love. 

Seeing  ye  have  purified  your  souls  in  your  obedience 
to  the  truth  unto  unfeigned  love  of  the  brethren,  love 


52  A   LETTER  OF   PETER 

one  another  from   the   heart   fervently:   having  been 
begotten  again,  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  incor- 
ruptible, through  the  word  of  God,  which  liveth  and 
abideth. 
For, 

"All  flesh  is  as  grass, 

And  all  the  glory  thereof  as  the  flower  of  grass. 
The  grass  withereth,  and  the  flower  falleth; 
But  the  word  of  the  Lord  abideth  for  ever." 
And  this  is  the  word  of  good  tidings  which  was  preached 
unto  you. 

Growth  and  Privilege. 

Putting  away  therefore  all  wickedness,  and  all  guile, 
and  hypocrisies,  and  envies,  and  all  evil  speakings, 
as  new  born  babes,  long  for  the  spiritual  milk  which  is 
without  guile,  that  ye  may  grow  thereby  unto  salvation; 
if  ye  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious :  unto  whom 
coming,  a  living  stone,  rejected  indeed  of  men,  but  with 
God  elect,  precious,  ye  also,  as  living  stones,  are  built 
up  a  spiritual  house,  to  be  a  holy  priesthood,  to  offer 
up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  God  through  Jesus 
Christ.     Because  it  is  contained  in  scripture, 

"Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion  a  chief  corner  stone,  elect, 

precious : 
And  he  that  believeth  on  him  shall  not  be  put 
to  shame." 
For    you  therefore  that   believe  is  the    preciousness: 
but  for  such  as  disbelieve, 

"The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected. 
The  same  was  made  the  head  of  the  corner;" 
and, 

"A  stoneof  stumbling,  and  a  rock  of  offence;" 
for  they  stumble  at  the  word,  being  disobedient:  where- 
unto  also  they  were  appointed. 

But  ye  are  an  elect  race,  a  royal  priesthood,  a  holy 
nation,  a  people  for  God's  own  possession,  that  ye  may 
show  forth  the  excellencies  of  him  who  called  you  out 
of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light :  who  in  time  past 


CHRISTIAN  INFLUENCE  53 

were  no  people,  but  now  are  the  people  of  God:  who 
had  not  obtained  mercy,  but  now  have  obtained  mercy. 

Christian  Influence. 

Beloved,  I  beseech  you  as  sojourners  and  pilgrims, 
to  abstain  from  fleshly  lasts,  which  war  against  the 
soul;  having  your  behavior  seemly  among  the  Gentiles; 
that,  wherein  they  speak  against  you  as  evil-doers, 
they  may  by  your  good  works,  which  they  behold, 
glorify  God  in  the  day  of  visitation. 

The  Christian  Citizen. 

Be  subject  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord^a 
sake:  whether  to  the  king,  as  supreme;  or  unto  gov- 
ernors, as  sent  by  him  for  vengeance  on  evil-doers  and 
for  praise  to  them  that  do  well.  For  so  is  the  will  of 
God,  that  by  well-doing  ye  should  put  to  silence  the^ 
ignorance  of  foolish  men:  as  free,  and  not  using  your 
freedom  for  a  cloak  of  wickedness,  but  as  bondservants 
of  God.  Honor  all  men.  Love  the  brotherhood. 
Fear  God.     Honor  the  king. 

The  Christian  Servant, 

Servants,  be  in  subjection  to  your  masters  with  all 
fear;  not  only  to  the  good  and  gentle,  but  also  to  the 
froward.  For  this  is  acceptable,  if  for  conscience 
toward  God  a  man  endureth  griefs,  suffering  wrong- 
fully. For  what  glory  is  it,  if,  when  ye  sin,  and  are 
buffeted  for  it,  ye  shall  take  it  patiently?  but  if,  when 
ye  do  well,  and  suffer  for  it,  ye  shall  take  it  patiently, 
this  is  acceptable  with  God.  For  hereunto  were  ye 
called :  because  Christ  also  suffered  for  you,  leaving  you 
an  example,  that  ye  should  follow  his  steps:  who  did 
no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth:  who,  when, 
he  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again;  when  he  suffered'^ 
threatened  not;  but  committed  himself  to  him  that 


54  A   LETTER  OF   PETER 

judgeth  righteously:  who  his  own  self  bare  our  sins  in 
his  body  upon  the  tree,  that  we,  having  died  unto  sins, 
might  live  unto  righteousness;  by  whose  stripes  ye 
were  healed.  For  ye  were  going  astray  like  sheep; 
but  are  now  returned  unto  the  Shepherd  and  Bishop 
of  your  souls. 

The  Christian  Wife. 

In  like  manner,  ye  wives,  be  in  subjection  to  your 
own  husbands;  that,  even  if  any  obey  not  the  word, 
they  may  without  the  word  be  gained  by  the  behavior 
of  their  wives;  beholding  your  chaste  behavior  coupled 
with  fear.  Whose  adorning  let  it  not  be  the  outward 
adorning  of  braiding  the  hair,  and  of  wearing  jewels 
of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  apparel;  but  let  it  be  the  hid- 
den man  of  the  heart,  in  the  incorruptible  apparel  of 
a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  in  the  sight  of  God 
of  great  price.  For  after  this  manner  aforetime  the 
holy  women  also,  who  hoped  in  God,  adorned  them- 
selves, being  in  subjection  to  their  own  husbands: 
as  Sarah  obeyed  Abraham,  calling  him  lord:  whose 
children  ye  now  are,  if  ye  do  well,  and  are  not  put  in 
fear  by  any  terror. 

The  Christian  Husband. 

Ye  husbands,  in  like  manner,  dwell  with  your  wives 
according  to  knowledge,  giving  honor  unto  the  woman, 
as  unto  the  weaker  vessel,  as  being  also  joint-heirs  of 
the  grace  of  life;  to  the  end  that  your  prayers  be  not 
hindered. 

Christian  Brethren. 

Finally,  be  ye  all  likeminded,  compassionate,  lov- 
ing as  brethren,  tenderhearted,  humbleminded:  not 
rendering  evil  for  evil,  or  reviling  for  reviling;  but  con- 
trariwise blessing;  for  hereunto  were  ye  called,  that  ye 
should  inherit  a  blessing.     For, 


MEETING   PERSECUTION  55 

"He  that  would  love  life, 
And  see  good  days, 

Let    him   refrain   his   tongue   from   evil, 
And  his  lips  that  they  speak  no  guile : 
And  let  him  turn  away  from  evil,  and  do  good; 
Let  him  seek  peace,  and  pursue  it. 
For  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous, 
And  his  ears  unto  their  supplication: 
But  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them  that  do 
evil." 

Meeting  Persecution. 

And  who  is  he  that  will  harm  you,  if  ye  be  zealous 
of  that  which  is  good?  But  even  if  ye  should  suffer 
for  righteousness'  sake,  blessed  are  ye:  and  fear  not 
their  fear,  neither  be  troubled;  but  sanctify  in  youi 
hearts  Christ  as  Lord:  being  ready  always  to  give  an- 
swer to  every  man  that  asketh  you  a  reason  concern- 
ing the  hope  that  is  in  you,  yet  with  meekness  and 
fear:  having  a  good  conscience;  that,  wherein  ye  are 
spoken  against,  they  may  be  put  to  shame  who  revile 
your  good  manner  of  life  in  Christ. 

For  it  is  better,  if  the  will  of  God  should  so  will, 
that  ye  suffer  for  well-doing  than  foi'  evil-doing.  Be- 
cause Christ  also  suffered  for  sins  once,  the  righteous 
for  the  unrighteous,  that  he  might  bring  us  to  God; 
being  put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  made  alive  in  the 
spirit;  in  which  also  he  went  and  preached  unto  the 
spirits  in  prison,  that  aforetime  were  disobedient,  when 
the  long-suffering  of  God  waited  in  the  days  of  Noah, 
while  the  ark  was  a  preparing,  wherein  few,  that  is, 
eight  souls,  were  saved  through  water:  which  also, 
after  a  true  likeness  doth  now  save  you,  even  baptism,, 
not  the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the 
interrogation  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God,  through 
the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ;  who  is  on  the  right 
hand  of  God,  having  gone  into  heaven;  angels  and  au- 
thorities  and   powers  being  made   subject   unto   him. 


•66  a  letter  of  peter 

Living  to  the  Will  of  God. 

Forasmuch  then  as  Christ  suffered  in  the  flesh,  arm 
ye  yourselves  also  with  the  same  mind ;  for  he  that  hath 
suffered  in  the  flesh  hath  ceased  from  sin;  that  ye  no 
longer  should  live  the  rest  of  your  time  in  the  flesh 
to  the  lusts  of  men,  but  to  the  will  of  God. 

For  the  time  past  may  suffice  to  have  wrought  the 
desire  of  the  Gentiles,  and  to  have  walked  in  lascivious- 
ness,  lusts,  winebibbings,  revellings,  carousings,  and 
abominable  idolatries:  wherein  they  think  it  strange 
that  ye  run  not  with  them  into  the  same  excess  of  riot, 
speaking  evil  of  you :  who  shall  give  account  to  him  that 
is  ready  to  judge  the  living  and  the  dead. 

For  unto  this  end  was  the  gospel  preached  even  to 
the  dead,  that  they  might  be  judged  indeed  according 
to  men  in  the  flesh,  but  live  according  to  God  in  the 
spirit. 

But  the  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand:  be  ye  therefore 
of  sound  mind,  and  be  sober  unto  prayer:  above  all 
things  being  fervent  in  your  love  among  yourselves; 
for  love  covereth  a  multitude  of  sins:  using  hospitality 
one  to  another  without  murmuring:  according  as  each 
hath  received  a  gift,  ministering  it  among  yourselves, 
as  good  stewards  of  the  manifold  grace  of  God;  if  any 
man  speaketh,  speaking  as  it  were  oracles  of  God;  if 
any  man  ministereth,  ministering  as  of  the  strength 
which  God  supplieth:  that  in  all  things  God  may  be 
glorified  through  Jesus  Christ,  whose  is  the  glory  and 
the   dominion  for   ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Suffering  as  a  Christian. 

Beloved,  think  it  not  strange  concerning  the  fiery 
trial  among  you,  which  cometh  upon  you  to  prove 
you,  as  though  a  strange  thing  happened  unto  you: 
but  insomuch  as  ye  are  partakers  of  Christ's  sufferings, 


DUTY  OF  THE   PASTORS  57 

rejoice;  that  at  the  revelation  of  his  glory  also  ye  may 
rejoice  with  exceeding  joy. 

If  ye  are  reproached  for  the  name  of  Christ,  blessed 
are  ye;  because  the  spirit  of  glory  and  the  Spirit  of 
God  resteth  upon  you.  For  let  none  of  you  suffer  as 
a  murderer,  or  a  thief,  or  an  evil-doer,  or  as  a  meddler 
in  other  men's  matters:  but  if  a  man  suffer  as  a  Chris- 
tian, let  him  not  be  ashamed;  but  let  him  glorify  God  in 
this  name. 

For  the  time  is  come  for  judgment  to  begin  at  the 
house  of  God:  and  if  it  begin  first  at  us,  what  shall  be 
the  end  of  them  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  God?  And 
if  the  righteous  is  scarcely  saved,  where  shall  the  un- 
godl^y  and  sinner  appear? 

Wherefore  let  them  also  that  suffer  according  to  the 
will  of  God  commit  their  souls  in  well-doing  unto  a 
faithful  Creator. 

Duty  of  the  Pastors. 

The  elders  therefore  among  you  I  exhort,  who  am 
a  fellow-elder,  and  a  witness  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ, 
who  am  also  a  partaker  of  the  glory  that  shall  be  re- 
vealed: tend  the  flock  of  God  which  is  among  you, 
exercising  the  oversight,  not  of  constraint,  but  willingly, 
according  to  the  will  of  God;  nor  yet  for  filthy  lucre, 
but  of  a  ready  mind;  neither  as  lording  it  over  the 
charge  allotted  to  you,  but  making  yourselves  ensam- 
ples  to  the  flock.  And  when  the  chief  Shepherd  shall 
be  manifested,  ye  shall  receive  the  crown  of  glory  that 
fadeth  not  away. 

Humility  and  Watchfulness. 

Likewise,  ye  younger,  be  subject  unto  the  elder. 
Yea,  all  of  you  gird  yourselves  with  humility,  to  serve 
one  another:  for  God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth 
grace   to   the   humble.     Humble   yourselves  therefore 


58  A  LETTER  OF  PETER 

under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  he  may  exalt  you 
in  due  time;  casting  all  your  anxiety  upon  him,  be- 
cause he  careth  for  you. 

Be   sober,   be  watchful:   your  adversary   the   devil 
as  a  roaring  lion,   walketh  about,   seeking  whom  he 
may  devour:  whom  withstand  stedfast  in  your  faith, 
knowing   that   the   same   sufferings   are   accomplished 
in  your  brethren  who  are  in  the  world. 

And  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  called  you  unto  his 
eternal  glory  in  Christ,  after  that  ye  have  suffered  a 
little  while,  shall  himself  perfect,  establish,  strengthen 
you.     To  him  be  the  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen 

The  Bearer  of  the  Letter. 

By  Silvanus,  our  faithful  brother,  as  I  account  him, 
I  have  written  unto  you  briefly,  exhorting,  and  testi- 
fying that  this  is  the  true  grace  of  God:  stand  ye  fast 
therein.  She  that  is  in  Babylon,  elect  together  with 
you,  saluteth  you;  and  so  doth  Mark  my  son.  Salute 
one  another  with  a  kiss  of  love. 

Peace  be  unto  you  all  that  are  in  Christ. 


A  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER. 


Simon  Peter, 

A  SERVANT  AND  APOSTLE  OF  JeSUS  ChRIST, 

To  THEM  THAT  HAVE  OBTAINED  A  LIKE  PRECIOUS 
FAITH  WITH  US  IN  THE  RIGHTEOUSNESS  OF  OUR  GoD 

AND  THE  Saviour  Jesus  Christ: 

Grace  to  }7ou  and  peace  be  multiplied  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  God  and  of  Jesus  our  Lord;  seeing  that  his 
divine  power  hath  granted  unto  us  all  things  that  per- 
tain unto  life  and  godliness,  through  the  knowledge 
of  him  that  called  us  by  his  own  glory  and  virtue; 
whereby  he  hath  granted  unto  us  his  precious  and  ex- 
ceeding great  promises;  that  through  these  ye  may 
become  partakers  of  the  divine  nature,  having  escaped 
from  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world  by  lust. 

The  Growth  of  Goodness. 

Yea,  and  for  this  very  cause  adding  on  your  part  all 
diligence,  in  your  faith  supply  virtue;  and  in  your 
virtue  knowledge;  and  in  your  knowledge  self-control; 
and  in  your  self-control  patience;  and  in  your  patience 
godliness;  and  in  your  godliness  brotherly  kindness; 
and  in  your  brotherly  kindness  love.  For  if  these 
things  are  yours  and  abound,  they  make  you  to  be  not 
idle  nor  unfruitful  unto  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  For  he  that  lacketh  these  things  is 
blind,  seeing  only  what  is  near,  having  forgotten  the 
cleansing  from  his  old  sins. 

Wherefore,  brethren,  give  the  more  diligence  to 
make  your  calling  and  election  sure:  for  if  ye  do  these 
things,  ye  shall  never  stumble:  for  thus  shall  be  richly 
supplied  unto  you  the  entrance  into  the  eternal  king- 
dom of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
59 


co  a  second  letter  of  peter 

An  Apostolic  Admonition. 

Wherefore  I  shall  be  ready  always  to  put  you  in 
remembrance  of  these  things,  though  ye  know  them, 
and  are  established  in  the  truth  which  is  with  you. 
And  I  think  it  right,  as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle, 
to  stir  you  up  by  putting  you  in  remembrance;  know- 
ing that  the  putting  off  of  my  tabernacle  cometh 
swiftly,  even  as  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  signified  unto  me. 
Yea,  I  will  give  diligence  that  at  every  time  ye  may 
be  able  after  my  decease  to  call  these  things  to  remem- 
brance. 

The  Certainty  of  the  Faith. 

For  we  did  not  follow  cunningly  devised  fables,  when 
we  made  known  unto  you  the  power  and  coming  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  we  were  eyewitnesses  of  his 
majesty. 

For  he  received  from  God  the  Father  honor  and  glory, 
when  there  was  borne  such  a  voice  to  him  by  the 
Majestic  Glory,  "This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I 
am  well  pleased:"  and  this  voice  we  ourselves  heard 
borne  out  of  heaven,  when  we  were  with  him  in  the 
holy  mount. 

And  we  have  the  word  of  prophecy  made  more  sure; 
whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  heed,  as  unto  a  lamp 
shining  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the 
day-star  arise  in  your  hearts:  knowing  this  first,  that 
no  prophecy  of  scripture  is  of  private  interpretation. 
For  no  prophecy  ever  came  by  the  will  of  man:  but  men 
spake  from  God,  being  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Punishment  of  False  Teachers. 

But  there  arose  false  prophets  also  among  the  people, 
as  among  you  also  there  shall  be  false  teachers,  who 
shall  privily  bring  in  destructive  heresies,  denying 
even  the   Master  that  bought   them,   bringing   upon 


THE   MARKS   OF  FALSE  TEACHERS  61 

%hemseive§  §wift  destruction.  And  many  shall  follow 
their  lascivious  doings;  by  reason  of  whom  the  way 
of  the  truth  shall  be  evil  spoken  of.  And  in  covetous- 
ness  shall  they  with  feigned  words  make  merchandise 
of  you:  whose  sentence  now  from  of  old  lingereth  not, 
and  their  destruction  slumbereth  not. 

For  if  God  spared  not  angels  when  they  sinned,  but 
cast  them  down  to  hell,  and  committed  them  to  pits 
of  darkness,  to  be  reserved  unto  judgment;  and  spared 
not  the  ancient  world,  but  preserved  Noah  with  seven 
others,  a  preacher  of  righteousness,  when  he  brought  a 
flood  upon  the  world  of  the  ungodly;  and  turning  the 
cities  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  into  ashes  condemned 
them  with  an  overthrow,  having  made  them  an  ex- 
ample unto  those  that  should  live  ungodly;  and  deliv- 
ered righteous  Lot,  sore  distressed  by  the  lascivious 
life  of  the  wicked  (for  fhat  righteous  man  dwelling 
among  them,  in  seeing  and  hearing,  vexed  his  righteous 
soul  from  day  to  day  with  their  lawless  deeds) :  the 
Lord  knoweth  how  to  deliver  the  godly  out  of  tempta- 
tion, and  to  keep  the  unrighteous  under  punishment 
unto  the  day  of  judgment;  but  chiefly  them  that  walk 
after  the  flesh  in  the  lust  of  defilement,  and  despise 
dominion.  Daring,  self-willed,  they  tremble  not  to 
rail  at  dignities:  whereas  angels,  though  greater  in 
might  and  power,  bring  not  a  railing  judgment  against 
them  before  the  Lord. 

The  Marks  of  False  Teachers. 

But  these,  as  creatures  without  reason,  born  mere 
animals  to  be  taken  and  destroyed,  railing  in  matters 
whereof  they  are  ignorant,  shall  in  their  destroying 
purely  be  destroyed,  suffering  wrong  as  the  hire  of 
wrong-doing;  men  that  count  it  pleasure  to  revel  in 
the  day-time,  spots  and  blemishes,  revelling  in  their 
deceivings  while  they  feast  with  you;  having  eyes  full 


62  A  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 

of  adultery,  and  that  cannot  cease  from  sin;  enticing 
unstedfast  souls;  having  a  heart  exercised  in  covetous- 
ness;  children  of  cursing;  forsaking  the  right  way,  they 
went  astray,  having  followed  the  way  of  Balaam  the 
son  of  Beor,  who  loved  the  hire  of  wrong-doing;  but 
he  was  rebuked  for  his  own  transgression:  a  dumb  ass 
spake  with  man's  voice  and  stayed  the  madness  of 
the  prophet. 

These  are  springs  without  water,  and  mists  driven 
by  a  storm;  for  whom  the  blackness  of  darkness  hath 
been  reserved. 

Danger  from  False  Teachers. 

For,  uttering  great  swelling  words  of  vanity,  they 
entice  in  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  by  lasciviousness,  those 
who  are  just  escaping  from  them  that  live  in  error; 
promising  them  liberty,  while  they  themselves  are 
bondservants  of  corruption ;  for  of  whom  a  man  is  over- 
come, of  the  same  is  he  also  brought  into  bondage. 

For  if,  after  they  have  escaped  the  defilements  of 
the  world  through  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour Jesus  Christ,  they  are  again  entangled  therein  and 
overcome,  the  last  state  is  become  worse  with  them 
than  the  first.  For  it  were  better  for  them  not  to 
have  known  the  way  of  righteousness,  than,  after 
knowing  it,  to  turn  back  from  the  holy  commandment 
delivered  unto  them.  It  has  happened  unto  them  ac- 
cording to  the  true  proverb,  "The  dog  turning  to  his 
own  vomit  again,  and  the  sow  that  had  washed  to 
wallowing  in  the  mire . ' ' 

The  Promised  Return  of  Christ. 

This  is  now,  beloved,  the  second  epistle  that  I  write 
unto  you;  and  in  both  of  them  I  stir  up  your  sincere 
mind  by  putting  you  in  remembrance;  that  ye  should  re- 
member the  words  which  were  spoken  before  by  the 


THE   DELAY  OF  HIS  COMING  63 

holy  prophets,  and  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  and 
Saviour  through  your  apostles:  knowing  this  first,  that 
in  the  last  days  mockers  shall  come  with  mockery, 
walking  after  their  own  lusts,  and  saying,  "Where  is 
the  promise  of  his  coming?  for,  from  the  day  that  the 
fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things  continue  as  they  were 
from  the  beginning  of  the  creation." 

For  this  they  wilfully  forget,  that  there  were  heavens 
from  of  old,  and  an  earth  compacted  out  of  water  and 
amidst  water,  by  the  word  of  God;  by  which  means 
the  world  that  then  was,  being  overflowed  with  water, 
perished :  but  the  heavens  that  now  are,  and  the  earth, 
by  the  same  word  have  been  stored  up  for  fire,  being 
reserved  against  the  day  of  judgment  and  destruction 
of  ungodly  men. 

The'Delay  of  His  Coming. 

But  forget  not  this  one  thing,  beloved,  that  one  day 
is  with  the  Lord  as  a  thousand. years,  and  a  thousand 
years  as  one  day  The  Lord  is  not  slack  concerning 
his  promise,  as  some  count  slackness;  but  is  longsuf- 
fering  to  you-ward,  not  wishing  that  any  should  perish, 
but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance. 

But  the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief;  in  the 
which  the  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a  great  noise, 
and  the  elements  shall  be  dissolved  with  fervent  heat, 
and  the  earth  and  the  works  that  are  therein  shall  be 
burned  up. 

Watching  for  His  Coming. 

Seeing  that  these  things  are  thus  all  to  be  dissolved, 
what  manner  of  persons  ought  ye  to  be  in  all  holy 
Hving  and  godliness,  looking  for  and  earnestly  desiring 
the  coming  of  the  day  of  God,  by  reason  of  which  the 
heavens  being  on  fire  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  ele- 
ments shall  melt  with  fervent  heat? 


64  A  SECOND  LETTER  OF  PETER 

But,  according  to  his  promise,  we  look  for  new- 
heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteous- 
ness. 

The  Need  of  Stedfastness, 

Wherefore,  beloved,  seeing  that  ye  look  for  these 
things,  give  diligence  that  ye  may  be  found  in  peace, 
without  spot  and  blameless  in  his  sight.  And  account 
that  the  longsuffering  of  our  Lord  is  salvation;  even 
as  our  beloved  brother  Paul  also,  according  to  the 
wisdom  given  to  him,  wrote  unto  you;  as  also  in  all 
his  epistles,  speaking  in  them  of  these  things;  wherein 
are  some  things  hard  to  be  understood,  which  the  ig- 
norant and  unstedfast  wrest,  as  they  do  also  the  other 
scriptures,  vmto  their  own  destruction. 

Ye  therefore,  beloved,  knowing  these  things  before- 
hand, beware  lest,  being  carried  away  with  the  error 
of  the  wicked,  ye  fall  from  your  own  stedfastness.  But 
grow  in  the  grace  and  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

To  HIM  be  the  Glory  Both  Now  and  For  Ever. 
Amen. 


A  LETTER  OF  JUDE. 

One  of  the  Brothers  of  Jesus,  to  the  Gentile 
Christians. 


Jude,  a  Servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  Brother 
OF  James, 

To  them  that  are  called,  beloved  in  God  the 
Father,  and  kept  for  Jesus  Christ:  Mercy  unto 
you  and  peace  and  love  be  multiplied. 

One  Faith:     Many  Infidels. 

Beloved,  while  I  was  giving  all  diligence  to  write 
unto  you  of  our  common  salvation,  I  was  constrained 
to  write  unto  you  exhorting  you  to  contend  earnestly 
for  the  faith  which  was  once  for  all  delivered  unto  the 
saints.  For  there  are  certain  men  crept  in  privily, 
even  they  who  were  of  old  written  of  beforehand  unto 
this  condemnation,  ungodly  men,  turning  the  grace 
of  our  God  into  lasciviousness,  and  denying  our  only 
Master  and  Lord,  Jesus  Christ. 

Warnings  from  History. 

Now  I  desire  to  put  you  in  remembrance,  though  ye 
know  all  things  once  for  all,  that  the  Lord,  having 
saved  a  people  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  afterward 
destroyed  them  that  believed  not.  And  angels  that 
kept  not  their  own  principality,  but  left  their  proper 
habitation,  he  hath  kept  in  everlasting  bonds  under 
darkness  unto  the  judgment  of  the  great  day.  Even 
as  Sodom  and  Goinorrah,  and  the  cities  about  them, 
having  in  like  manner  with  these  given  themselves  over 
to  fornication  and  gone  after  strange  flesh,  are  set  forth 
as  an  example,  suffering  the  punishment  of  eternal 
fire. 

65 


66  a  letter  of  jude 

Sin  of  the  Scoffers. 

Yet  in  like  manner  these  also  in  their  dreamings 
defile  the  flesh,  and  set  at  nought  dominion,  and  rail  at 
dignities. 

But  Michael  the  archangel,  when  contending  with 
the  devil  he  disputed  about  the  body  of  Moses,  durst 
not  bring  against  him  a  railing  judgment,  but  said, 
"The  Lord  rebuke  thee." 

But  these  rail  at  v\^hatsoever  things  they  know  not: 
and  what  they  understand  naturall}'',  like  the  creatures 
without  reason,  in  these  things  are  they  destroyed. 
Woe  unto  them!  for  they  went  in  the  way  of  Cain,  and 
ran  riotously  in  the  error  of  Balaam  for  hire,  and  per- 
ished in  the  gainsaying  of  Korah. 

Their  Worthlessness. 

These  are  they  who  are  hidden  rocks  in  your  love- 
feasts  when  they  feast  with  you,  shepherds  that  with- 
out fear  feed  themselves;  clouds  without  water,  car- 
ried along  by  winds;  autumn  trees  without  fruit,  twice 
dead,  plucked  up  by  the  roots;  wild  waves  of  the  sea, 
foaming  out  their  own  shame;  wandering  stars,  for 
whom  the  blackness  of  darkness  hath  been  reserved 
for  ever. 

Their  Predicted  Doom. 

And  to  these  also  Enoch,  the  seventh  from  Adam, 
prophesied,  saying,  "Behold,  the  Lord  came  with  ten 
thousands  of  his  holy  ones,  to  execute  judgment  upon 
all,  and  to  convict  all  the  ungodly  of  all  their  works 
of  ungodliness  which  they  have  ungodly  wrought,  and 
of  all  the  hard  things  which  ungodly  sinners  have 
spoken    against    him." 

These  are  murmurers,  complainers,  walking  after 
their  lusts  (and  their  mouth  speaketh  great  swelling 


THE   DUTY  OF  THE   FAITHFUL  67 

words),  showing  respect  of  persons  for  the  sake  of 
advantage. 

The  Duty  of  the  Faithful. 

But  ye,  beloved,  remember  ye  the  words  which  have 
been  spoken  before  by  the  apostles  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ;  that  they  said  to  you,  "In  the  last  time  there 
shall  be  mockers,  walking  after  their  own  ungodly 
lusts."  These  are  they  who  make  separations,  sen- 
sual, having  not  the  Spirit. 

But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  yourselves  on  your 
most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  keep 
yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life. 

And  on  some  have  mercy,  who  are  in  doubt;  and 
some  save,  snatching  them  out  of  the  fire;  and  on  some 
have  mercy  with  fear ;  hating  even  the  garment  spotted 
by  the  flesh. 

DOXOLOGY. 

Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  guard  you  from 

STUMBLING,  AND  TO  SET  YOU  BEFORE  THE  PRESENCE 
OF  HIS  GLORY  WITHOUT  BLEMISH  IN  EXCEEDING  JOY, 
TO  THE  ONLY  God  OUR  SaVIOUR,  THROUGH  JeSUS  ChRIST 

OUR  Lord,  be  glory,  majesty,  dominion  and  power, 
before  all  time,  and  now,  and  for  evermore. 
Amen. 


A  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS. 

(Anonymous.) 


Christ  Greater  than  the  Prophets. 

God,  having,  of  old  time  spoken  unto  the  fathers  in 
the  prophets  by  divers  portions  and  in  divers  manners, 
hath  at  the  end  of  these  days  spoken  unto  us  in  his  Son, 
whom  he  appointed  heir  of  all  things,  through  whom 
also  he  made  the  worlds;  who  being  the  effulgence  of 
his  glory,  and  the  very  image  of  his  substance,  and  up- 
holding all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  when  he 
had  made  purification  of  sins,  sat  down  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high;  having  become  by  so 
much  better  than  the  angels,  as  he  hath  inherited  a 
more  excellent  name  than  they. 

Christ  Greater  than  the  Angels. 

For  unto  which  of  the  angels  said  he  at  any  time, 
"Thou  art  my  Son, 
This  day  have  I  begotten  thee?" 
and  again, 

"I  will  be  to  him  a  Father, 
And  he  shall  be  to  me  a  Son," 

And  when  he  again  bringeth  in  the  firstborn  into  the 
world  he  saith, 

"And  let  all  the  angels  of  God  worship  him." 
And  of  the  angels  he  saith, 

"Who   maketh   his   angels   winds. 

And  his  ministers  a  flame  of  fire:" 
but  of  the  Son  he  saith, 

"Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever; 

And  the  sceptre  of  uprightness  is  the  sceptre  of 
thy  kingdom. 

Thou  hast  loved  righteousness, and  hated  iniquity; 

Therefore  God,  thy  God,  hath  anointed  thee 

With  the  oil  of  gladness  above  thy  fellows." 

G8 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  STEDFASTNESS  69 

And, 

"Thou,  Lord,   in   the  beginning   didst  lay   the 

foundation  of  the  earth. 
And  the  heavens  are  the  works  of  thy  hands: 
They  shall  perish;  but  thou  continuest: 
And  they  all  shall  wax  old  as  doth  a  garment; 
And  as  a  mantle  shalt  thou  roll  them  up, 
As  a  garment,  and  they  shall  be  changed: 
But  thou  art  the  same, 
And  thy  years  shall  not  fail." 
But  of  which  of  the  angels  hath  he  said  at  anytime, 
"Sit  thou  on  my  right  hand. 

Till  I  make  thine  enemies  the  footstool  of  thy 
feet?" 
Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits,   sent  forth  to 
do  service  for  the  sake  of  them  that  shall  inherit  sal- 
vation? 

The  Obligation  of  Stedfastness. 

Therefore  we  ought  to  give  the  more  earnest  heed 
to  the  things  that  were  heard,  lest  haply  we  drift  away 
from  them. 

For  if  the  word  spoken  through  angels  proved  sted- 
fast,  and  every  transgression  and  disobedience  received 
a  just  recompense  of  reward;  how  shall  we  escape,  if 
we  neglect  so  great  a  salvation?  which  having  at  the 
first  been  spoken  through  the  Lord,  was  confirmed 
unto  us  by  them  that  heard;  God  also  bearing  witness 
with  them,  both  by  signs  and  wonders,  and  by  mani- 
fold powers,  and  by  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  according 
to  his  own  will. 

The  Humiliation  of  Jesus. 

For  not  unto  angels  did  he  subject  the  world  to  come, 
whereof  we  speak.  But  one  hath  somewhere  testified, 
saying, 

"What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him? 

Or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him? 

Thou  madest  him  a  little  lower  than  the  angels; 

Thou  crownedst  him  with  glory  and  honor, 


70  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

And  didst  set  him  over  the  works  of  thy  hands: 
Thou  didst  put  all  things  in  subjection  under 
his  feet." 

For  in  that  he  subjected  all  things  unto  him,  he  left 
nothing  that  is  not  subject  to  him. 

But  now  we  see  not  yet  all  things  subjected  to  him. 
But  we  behold  him  who  hath  been  made  a  little  lower 
than  the  angels,  even  Jesus,  because  of  the  suffering 
of  death  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  that  by  the 
grace  of  God  he  should  taste  of  death  for  every  man. 

For  it  became  him,  for  whom  are  all  things,  and 
through  whom  are  all  things,  in  bringing  many  sons 
unto  glory  to  make  the  author  of  their  salvation  perfect 
through  sufferings.  For  both  he  that  sanctifieth  and 
they  that  are  sanctified  are  all  of  one:  for  which  cause 
he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  them  brethren,  saying, 

"I  will  declare  thy  name  unto  my  brethren. 
In  the  midst  of  the  congregation  will  I  sing  thy 
praise." 

And  again,  "I  will  put  my  trust  in  him."  And  again, 
"Behold,  1  and  the  children  whom  God  hath  given  me." 

Since  then  the  children  are  sharers  in  flesh  and  blood, 
he  also  himself  in  like  manner  partook  of  the  same; 
that  through  death  he  might  bring  to  nought  him 
that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the  devil ;  and  might 
deliver  all  them  who  through  fear  of  death  were  all 
their  lifetime  subject  to  bondage. 

For  verily  not  to  angels  doth  he  give  help,  but  he 
giveth  help  to  the  seed  of  Abraham.  Wherefore  it 
behooved  him  in  all  things  to  be  made  like  unto  his 
brethren,  that  he  might  become  a  merciful  and  faithful 
high  priest  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  to  make  pro- 
pitiation for  the  sins  of  the  people. 

For  in  that  he  himself  hath  suffered  being  tempted, 
he  is  able  to  succor  them  that  are  tempted. 


christ  greater  than  moses  71 

Christ  Greater  than  Moses. 

Wherefore,  holy  brethren,  partakers  of  a  heavtnly 
calHng,  consider  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our 
confession,  even  Jesus;  who  was  faithful  to  him  that 
appointed  him,  as  also  was  Moses  in  all  his  house. 

For  he  hath  been  counted  worthy  of  more  glory 
than  Moses,  by  so  much  as  he  that  built  the  house  hath 
more  honor  than  the  house.  For  every  house  is  builded 
by  some  one:  but  he  that  built  all  things  is  God.  And 
Moses  indeed  was  faithful  in  all  his  house  as  a  servant, 
for  a  testimony  of  those  things  which  were  afterward 
to  be  spoken;  but  Christ  as  a  son,  over  his  house;  whose 
house  are  we,  if  we  hold  fast  our  boldness  and  the  glory- 
ing of  our  hope  firm  unto  the  end. 

Warning  Against  Unfaithfulness. 

Wherefore,  even  as  the  Holy  Spirit  saith, 

"To-day  if  ye  shall  hear  his  voice. 

Harden  not  your  hearts,  as  in  the  provocation, 

Like  as  in  the  day  of  the  trial  in  the  wilderness, 

Where  your  fathers  tried  me  by  proving  me, 

And  saw  my  works  forty  years. 

Wherefore  I  was  displeased  with  this  generation, 

And  said.  They  do  always  err  in  their  heart: 

But  they  did  not  know  my  ways; 

As  I  sware  in  my  wrath. 

They  shall  not  enter  into  my  rest." 

Take  heed,  brethren,  lest  haply  there  shall  be  in  any 
one  of  you  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  falling  away 
from  the  living  God:  but  exhort  one  another  day  by 
day,  so  long  as  it  is  called  To-day;  lest  any  one  of  you 
be  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of  sin:  for  we  are  be- 
come partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  hold  fast  the  beginning 
of  our  confidence  firm  unto  the  end:  while  it  is  said, 

"To-day  if  ye  shall  hear  his  voice, 

Harden  not  your  hearts,  as  in  the  provocation." 

For  who,  when  they  heard,  did  provoke?  nay,  did  not 


72  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

all  they  that  came  out  of  Egypt  by  Moses?  And.  with 
whom  was  he  displeased  forty  years?  was  it  not  with 
them  that  sinned,  whose  bodies  fell  in  the  wilderness? 
And  to  whom  sware  he  that  they  should  not  enter  into 
his  rest,  but  to  them  that  were  disobedient?  And  we 
see  that  they  were  not  able  to  enter  in  because  of  un- 
belief. 

Christ  Greater  than  Joshua. 

Let  us  fear  therefore,  lest  haply,  a  promise  being 
left  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  one  of  you  should  seem 
to  have  come  short  of  it. 

For  indeed  we  have  had  good  tidings  preached  unto 
us,  even  as  also  they:  but  the  word  of  hearing  did  not 
profit  them,  because  it  was  not  united  by  faith  with 
them  that  heard.  For  we  who  have  believed  do  enter 
into  that  rest;  even  as  he  hath  said, 
"As  I  sware  in  my  wrath. 
They    shall    not    enter    into    my    rest:" 

although  the  works  were  finished  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world.  For  he  hath  said  somewhere  of  the 
seventh  day  on  this  wise,  "And  God  rested  on  the 
seventh  day  from  all  his  works;"  and  in  this  place  again, 
"They  shall  not  enter  into  my  rest." 
Seeing  therefore  it  remaineth  that  some  should  enter 
thereinto,  and  they  to  whom  the  good  tidings  were 
before  preached  failed  to  enter  in  because  of  disobedi- 
ence, he  again  defineth  a  certain  day.  To-day,  saying 
in  David  so  long  a  time  afterward  (even  as  hath  been 
said  before), 

"To-day  if  ye  shall  hear  his  voice. 

Harden  not  your  hearts." 

For  if  Joshua  had  given  them  rest,  he  would  not  have 
spoken  afterward  of  another  day. 

There  remaineth   therefore  a   sabbath   rest  for   the 
people  of  God. '    For  he  that  is  entered  into  his  rest 


EXHORTATION  TO  FAITHFULNESS  73 

hath  himself  also  rested  from  his  works,  as  God  did 
from  his. 

Exhortation  to  Faithfulness. 

Let  us  therefore  give  diligence  to  enter  into  that 
rest,  that  no  man  fall  after  the  same  example  of  dis- 
obedience. 

For  the  word  of  God  is  living,  and  active,  and  sharper 
than  any  two-edged  sword,  and  piercing  even  to  the 
dividing  of  soul  and  spirit,  of  both  joints  and  marrow, 
and  quick  to  discern  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
heart.  And  there  is  no  creature  that  is  not  manifest 
in  his  sight :  but  all  things  are  naked  and  laid  open  be- 
fore the  eyes  of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do. 

Having  then  a  great  high  priest,  who  hath  passed 
through  the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold 
fast  our  confession.  For  we  have  not  a  high  priest 
that  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmi- 
ties; but  one  that  hath  been  in  all  points  tempted  like 
as  we  are,  yet  without  sin. 

Let  us  therefore  draw  near  with  boldness  unto  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  receive  mercy,  and  may 
find  grace  to  help  us  in  time  of  need. 

Christ  Greater  than  Aaron. 

For  every  high  priest,  being  taken  from  among  men, 
is  appointed  for  men  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  that 
he  may  offer  both  gifts  and  sacrifices  for  sins:  who  can 
bear  gently  v/ith  the  ignorant  and  erring,  for  that  he 
himself  also  is  compassed  with  infirmity;  and  by  rea- 
son thereof  is  bound,  as  for  the  people,  so  also  for  him- 
self, to  offer  for  sins.  And  no  man  taketh  the  honor 
unto  himself,  but  when  he  is  called  of  God,  even  as 
was  Aaron. 

So  Christ  also  glorified  not  himself  to  be  made  a 
high  priest,  but  he  that  spake  unto  him. 


74  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

"Thou  art  my  Son, 

This  day  have  I  begotten  thee:" 

and  he  saith  also  in  another  place, 

"Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever 
After  the  order  of  Melchizedek.". 

Whoin  the  days  of  his  flesh,  having  offered  up  prayers 
and  supplications  with  strong  crying  and  tears  unto 
him  that  was  able  to  save  him  from  death,  and  having 
been  heard  for  his  godly  fear,  though  he  was  a  Son, 
vet  learned  obedience  by  the  things  which  he  suffered; 
and  having  been  made  perfect,  he  became  unto  all 
them  that  obey  him  the  author  of  eternal  salvation; 
named  of  God  a  high  priest  after  the  order  of  Mel- 
chizedek. 

Of  whom  we  have  many  things  to  say,  and  hard  of 
interpretation,  seeing  ye  are  become  dull  of  hearing. 

The  Need  of  Knowledge. 

For  when  by  reason  of  the  time  ye  ought  to  be  teach- 
ers, ye  have  need  again  that  some  one  teach  you  the 
rudiments  of  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God; 
and  are  become  such  as  have  need  of  milk,  and  not  of 
solid  food.  For  every  one  that  partaketh  of  milk  is 
without  experience  of  the  word  of  righteousness;  for 
he  is  a  babe.  But  solid  food  is  for  fuUgrown  men,  even 
those  who  by  reason  of  use  have  their  senses  exercised 
to  discern  good  and  evil. 

Wherefore  leaving  the  doctrine  of  the  first  principles 
of  Christ,  let  us  press  on  unto  perfection;  not  laying 
again  a  foundation  of  repentance  from  dead  works, 
and  of  faith  toward  God,  of  the  teaching  of  baptisms, 
and  of  laying  on  of  hands,  and  of  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  and  of  eternal  judgment.  And  this  will  we  do, 
if  God  permit. 


the  danger  of  apostasy  75 

The  Danger  of  Apostasy. 

For  as  touching  those  who  were  once  enlightened 
and  tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  were  made  par- 
takers of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  tasted  the  good  word  of 
God,  and  the  powers  of  the  age  to  come,  and  then  fell 
away,  it  is  impossible  to  renew  them  again  unto  repent- 
ance; seeing  they  crucify  to  themselves  the  Son  of  God 
afresh,  and  put  him  to  an  open  shame. 

For  the  land  which  hath  drunk  the  rain  that  cometh 
oft  upon  it,  and  bringeth  forth  herbs  meet  for  them 
for  whose  sake  it  is  also  tilled,  receiveth  blessing  from 
God:  but  if  it  beareth  thorns  and  thistles,  it  is  rejected 
and  nigh  unto  a  curse;  whose  end  is  to  be  burned. 

But,  beloved,  we  are  persuaded  better  things  of  you, 
and  things  thkt  accompany  salvation,  though  we  thus 
speak:  for  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work 
and  the  love  which  ye  showed  toward  his  name,  in  that 
ye  ministered  unto  the  saints,  and  still  do  minister. 

And  we  desire  that  each  one  of  you  may  show  the 
same  diligence  unto  the  fulness  of  hope  even  to  the 
end:  that  ye  be  not  sluggish,  but  imitators  of  them  who 
through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises. 

God's  Great  Promise 

For  when  God  made  promise  to  Abraham,  since  he 
could  swear  by  none  greater,  he  sware  by  himself,  say- 
ing, "Surely  blessing  I  will  bless  thee,  and  multiply- 
ing I  will  multiply  thee."  And  thus,  having  patiently 
endured,  he  obtained  the  promise. 

For  men  swear  by  the  greater:  and  in  every  dispute 
of  theirs  the  oath  is  final  for  confirmation.  Wherein 
God,  being  minded  to  show  more  abundantly  unto  the 
heirs  of  the  promise  the  immutability  of  his  counsel, 
interposed  with  an  oath;  that  by  two  immutable  things, 
in  which  it  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  we  may  have  a 
strong  encouragement,  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay 


76  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

hold  of  the  hope  set  before  us:  which  we  have  as  an 
anchor  of  the  soul,  a  hope  both  sure  and  stedfast  and 
entering  into  that  which  is  within  the  veil;  whither  as 
a  forerunner  Jesus  entered  for  us,  having  become  a 
high  priest  for  ever  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek. 

The  Priest  Melchizedek. 

For  this  Melchizedek,  king  of  Salem,  priest  of  God 
Most  High,  who  met  Abraham  returning  from  the 
slaughter  of  the  kings  and  blessed  him,  to  whom  also 
Abraham  divided  a  tenth  part  of  all  (being  first,  by 
interpretation.  King  of  righteousness,  and  then  also 
King  of  Salem,  which  is.  King  of  peace;  without  father, 
without  mother,  without  genealogy,  having  neither 
beginning  of  days  nor  end  of  life,  but  made  like  unto 
the  Son  of  God),  abideth  a  priest  continually. 

Christ  Greater  than  Levi. 

Now  consider  how  great  this  man  was,  unto  whom 
Abraham,  the  patriarch,  gave  a  tenth  out  of  the  chief 
spoils.  And  they  indeed  of  the  sons  of  Levi  that  re- 
ceive the  priest's  office  have  commandment  to  take 
tithes  of  the  people  according  to  the  law,  that  is,  of 
their  brethren,  though  these  have  come  out  of  the  loins 
of  Abraham:  but  he  whose  genealogy  is  not  counted 
from  them  hath  taken  tithes  of  Abraham  and  hath 
blessed  him  that  hath  the  promises.  But  without  any 
dispute  the  less  is  blessed  of  the  better.  And  here 
men  that  die  receive  tithes;  but  there  one,  of  whom  it 
is  witnessed  that  he  liveth.  And,  so  to  say,  through 
Abraham  even  Levi,  who  receiveth  tithes,  hath  paid 
tithes;  for  he  was  yet  in  the  loins  of  his  father,  when 
Melchizedek  met  him. 

The  Eternal  Priesthood. 

Now  if  there  was  perfection  through  the  Levitical 


THE  ETERNAL  PRIESTHOOD  77 

priesthood  (for  under  it  hath  the  people  received  the 
law),  what  further  need  was  there  that  another  priest 
should  arise  after  the  order  of  Melchizedek,  and  not 
be  reckoned  after  the  order  of  Aaron? 

For  the  priesthood  being  changed,  there  is  made  of 
necessity  a  change  also  of  the  law.  For  he  of  whom 
these  things  are  said  belongeth  to  another  tribe,  from 
which  no  man  hath  given  attendance  at  the  altar.  For 
it  is  evident  that  our  Lord  hath  sprung  out  of  Judah; 
as  to  which  tribe  Moses  spake  nothing  concerning 
priests. 

And  what  we  say  is  yet  more  abundantly  evident, 
if  after  the  likeness  of  Melchizedek  there  ariseth  another 
priest,  who  hath  been  made,  not  after  the  law  of  a 
carnal  comm^indment,  but  after  the  power  of  an  endless 
life :  for  it  is  witnessed  of  him, 

"Thou  art  a  priest  forever 

After  the  order  of  Melchizedek." 

For  there  is  a  disannulling  of  a  foregoing  command- 
ment because  of  its  weakness  and  unprofitableness 
(for  the  law  made  nothing  perfect),  and  a  bringing  in 
thereupon  of  a  better  hope,  through  which  we  draw 
nigh  unto  God. 

And  inasmuch  as  it  is  not  without  the  taking  of  an 
oath  (for  they  indeed  have  been  made  priests  without 
an  oath ;  but  he  with  an  oath  by  him  that  saith  of  him, 

"The  Lord  sware  and  will  not  repent  himself 

Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever") ; 

by  so  much  also  hath  Jesus  become  the  surety  of  a 
better  covenant. 

And  they  indeed  have  been  made  priests  many  in 
number,  because  that  by  death  they  are  hindered  from 
continuing:  but  he,  because  he  abideth  for  ever,  hath 
his  priesthood  unchangeable. 

Wherefore  also  he  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost 


78  A   LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

them  that  draw  near  unto  God  through  him,  seeing  he 
ever  Hveth  to  make  intercession  for  them. 

For  such  a  high  priest  became  us,  holy,  guileless, 
undefiled,  separated  from  sinners,  and  made  higher 
than  the  heavens;  who  needeth  not  daily,  like  those 
high  priests,  to  offer  up  sacrifices,  first  for  his  own  sins, 
and  then  for  the  sins  of  the  people :  for  this  he  did  once 
for  all,  when  he  offered  up  himself.  For  the  law  ap- 
pointeth  men  high  priests,  having  infirmity;  but  the 
word  of  the  oath*  which  was  after  the  law,  appointeth 
a  Son,  perfected  for  evermore. 

The  New  Covenant. 

Now  in  the  things  which  we  are  saying  the  chief 
point  is  this:  We  have  such  a  high  priest,  who  sat  down 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  the  Majesty  in  the 
heavens,  a  minister  of  the  sanctuary,  and  of  the  true 
tabernacle,  which  the  Lord  pitched,  not  man. 

For  every  high  priest  is  appointed  to  offer  both  gifts 
and  sacrifices:  wherefore  it  is  necessary  that  this  high 
priest  also  have  somewhat  to  offer. 

Now  if  he  were  on  earth.  He  would  not  be  a  priest  at 
all,  seeing  there  are  those  who  offer  the  gifts  according 
to  the  law ;  who  serve  that  w^hich  is  a  copy  and  shadow 
of  the  heavenly  things,  even  as  Moses  is  warned  of  God 
when  he  is  about  to  make  the  tabernacle:  for,  "See," 
saith  he,  "that  thou  make  all  things  according  to  the 
pattern  that  was  showed  thee  in  the  mount." 

But  now  hath  he  obtained  a  ministry  the  more  ex- 
cellent, by  so  much  as  he  is  also  the  mediator  of  a  better 
covenant,  which  hath  been  enacted  upon  better  prom- 
ises. For  if  that  first  covenant  had  been  faultless, 
then  would  no  place  have  been  sought  for  a  second. 
For  finding  fault  with  them,  he  saith, 


THE   BETTER  SACRIFICE  79 

"Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord, 

That  I  will  make  a  new  covenant  with  the  house 

of  Israel  and  with  the  house  of  Judah; 
Not   according   to    the   covenant   that    I    made 

with  their  fathers 
In  the  day  that  I  took  them  by  the  hand  to  lead 

them  forth  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt; 
For  they  continued  not  in  my  covenant. 
And  I  regarded  them  not,  saith  the  Lord. 
For  this  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make  with 

the  house  of  Israel 
After  those  days,  saith  the  Lord; 
I  will  put  my  laws  into  their  mind,  •   • 

And  on  their  heart  also  will  I  write  them: 
And  I  will  be  to  them  a  God, 
And  they  shall  be  to  me  a  people: 
And  they  shall  not  teach  every  man  his  fellow - 

citizen, 
And  eyery  man  his  brother,  saying,  'Know  the 

Lord' : 
For  all  shall  know  me. 
From  the  least  to  the  greatest  of  them. 
For  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  iniquities, 
And  their  sins  will  I  remember  no  more." 

In  that  he  saith,  "A  new  covenant,  "he  hath  made  the 
first  old.  But  that  which  is  becoming  old  and  waxeth 
aged  is  nigh  unto  vanishing  away. 

The  Better  Sacrifice. 

Now  even  the  first  covenant  had  ordinances  of 
divine  service,  and  its  sanctuary,  a  sanctuary  of  this 
world. 

For  there  was  a  tabernacle  prepared,  the  first, 
wherein  were  the  candlestick,  and  the  table,  and  the 
showbread;  which  is  called  the  Holy  place. 

And  after  the  second  veil,  the  tabernacle  which  is 
called  the  Holy  of  holies;  having  a  golden  altar  of  in- 
cense, and  the  ark  of  the  covenant  overlaid  round  about 
with  gold,  wherein  was  a  golden  pot  holding  the  manna, 
and  Aaron's  rod  that  budded,  and  the  tables  of  the 


80  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

covenant ;  and  above  it  cherubim  of  glory  overshadow- 
ing the  mercy-seat;  of  which  things  we  cannot  now 
speak  severally. 

Now  these  things  having  been  thus  prepared,  the 
priests  go  in  continually  into  the  first  tabernacle, 
accomplishing  the  services;  but  into  the  second  the 
high  priest  alone,  once  in  the  year,  not  without  blood, 
which  he  offereth  for  himself,  and  for  the  errors  of 
the  people:  the  Holy  Spirit  this  signifying,  that  the 
way  into  the  holy  place  hath  not  yet  been  made  man- 
ifest, while  the  first  tabernacle  is  yet  standing;  which 
is  a  figure  for  the  time  present;  according  to  which 
are  offered  both  gifts  and  sacrifices  that  cannot,  as 
touching  the  conscience,  make  the  worshipper  perfect, 
being  only  (with  meats  and  drinks  and  divers  washings) 
carnal  ordinances,  imposed  until  a  time  of  reformation. 

But  Christ  having  come  a  high  priest  of  the  good 
things  to  come,  through  the  greater  and  more  perfect 
tabernacle,  not  made  with  hands,  that  is  to  say,  not  of 
this  creation,  nor  yet  through  the  blood  of  goats  and 
calves,  but  through  his  own  blood,  entered  in  once  for 
all  into  the  holy  place,  having  obtained  eternal  redemp- 
tion. 

For  if  the  blood  of  goats  and  bulls,  and  the  ashes  of 
a  heifer  sprinkling  them  that  have  been  defiled,  sanc- 
tify unto  the  cleanness  of  the  flesh:  how  much  more 
shall  the  blood  of  Christ,  who  through  the  eternal  Spirit 
offered  himself  without  blemish  unto  God,  cleanse 
your  conscience  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living 
God? 

And  for  this  cause  he  is  the  mediator  of  a  new  cov- 
enant, that  a  death  having  taken  place  for  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  transgressions  that  were  under  the  first 
covenant,  they  that  have  been  called  may  receive  the 
promise  of  the  eternal  inheritance. 

For  where  a  testament  is,  there  must  of  necessity 


THE  FINISHED   SACRIFICE  81 

be  the  death  of  him  that  made  it.  For  a  testament 
is  of  force  where  there  hath  been  death:  for  it  doth 
never  avail  while  he  that  made  it  liveth. 

Wherefore  even  the  first  covenant  hath  not  been 
dedicated  without  blood.  For  when  every  command- 
ment had  been  spoken  by  Moses  unto  all  the  people 
according  to  the  law,  he  took  the  blood  of  the  calves 
and  the  goats,  with  water  and  scarlet  wool  and  hyssop, 
and  sprinkled  both  the  book  itself  and  all  the  people, 
saying,  "This  is  the  blood  of  the  covenant  which  God 
commanded  to  you-ward. "  Moreover  the  tabernacle 
and  all  the  vessels  of  the  ministry  he  sprinkled  in  like 
manner  with  the  blood.  And  according  to  the  law, 
I  may  almost  say,  all  things  are  cleansed  with  blood, 
and  apart  from  shedding  of  blood  there  is  no  remission. 

It  was  necessary  therefore  that  the  copies  of  the 
things  in  the  heavens  should  be  cleansed  with  these; 
but  the  heavenly  things  themselves  with  better  sacri- 
fices than  these. 

For  Christ  entered  not  into  a  holy  place  made  with 
hands,  like  in  pattern  to  the  true;  but  into  heaven 
itself,  now  to  appear  before  the  face  of  God  for  us; 
nor  yet  that  >he  should  offer  himself  often,  as  the  high 
priest  entereth  into  the  holy  place  3^ear  by  year  with 
blood  not  his  own;  else  must  he  often  have  suffered 
since  the  foundation  of  the  world:  but  now  once  at 
the  end  of  the  ages  hath  he  been  manifested  to  put 
away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself. 

And  inasmuch  -as  it  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to 
die,  and  after  this  cometh  judgment;  so  Christ  also, 
having  been  once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of  many, 
shall  appear  a  second, time,  apart  from  sin,  to  them 
that  wait  for  him,  unto  salvation. 

The  Finished  Sacrifice. 
For  the  law  having  a  shadow  of  the  good  things  to 


82  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

come,  not  the  very  image  of  the  things,  can  never  with 
the  same  sacrifices  year  by  year,  which  they  offer  con- 
tinually, make  perfect  them  that  draw  nigh.  Else 
would  they  not  have  ceased  to  be  offered?  because  the 
worshippers,  having  been  once  cleansed,  would  have 
had  no  more  consciousness  of  sins.  But  in  those  sac- 
rifices there  is  a  remembrance  made  of  sins  year  by 
year. 

For  it  is  impossible  that  the  blood  of  bulls  and  goats 
should  take  away  sins.  Wherefore  when  he  cometh 
into  the  world,  he  saith, 

"Sacrifice  and  offering  thou  wouldest  not, 

But  a  body  didst  thou  prepare  for  me; 

In  whole  burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices  for  sin 

thou  hadst  no  pleasure: 
Then  said  I,   'Lo,  I  am  come 
(In  the  roll  of  the  book  it  is  written  of  me) 
To  do  thy  will,  O  God.'  " 

Sa5''ing  above,  "Sacrifices  and  offerings  and  whole 
burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices  for  sin  thou  wouldest 
not,  neither  hadst  pleasure  therein  (the  which  are 
offered  according  to  the  law),  then  hath  he  said,  'Lo, 
I  am  come  to  do  thy  will. '  "  He  taketh  away  the  first, 
that  he  may  establish  the  second.  By  which  will  we 
have  been  sanctified  through  the  offering  of  the  body 
of  Jesus  Christ  once  for  all. 

And  every  priest  indeed  standeth  day  by  day  minis- 
tering and  offering  oftentimes  the  same  sacrifices,  the 
which  can  never  take  away  sins:  but  he,  when  he  had 
offered  one  sacrifice  for  sins  for  ever, "sat  down  on  the 
right  hand  of  God ;  henceforth  expecting  till  his  enemies 
be  made  the  footstool  of  his  feet.  For  by  one  offering 
he  hath  perfected  for  ever  them  that  are  sanctified. 

And  the  Holy  Spirit  also  beareth  witness  to  us; 
for  after  he  hath  said, 

' '  This  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make  with  them 
After  those  days,  saith  the  Lord: 


FULNESS  OF  FAITH  83 

I  will  put  my  laws  on  their  heart, 
And  upon  their  mind  also  will  I  write  them;'! 
then  saith  he, 

"And  their  sins  and  their  iniquities  will  I  re- 
member no  more. " 

Now  where  remission  of  these  is,  there  is  no  more  of- 
fering for  sin. 

Fulness  of  Faith. 

Having  therefore,  brethren,  boldness  to  enter  into 
the  holy  place  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  by  the  way  which 
he  dedicated  for  us,  a  new  and  living  way,  through  the 
veil,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh;  and  having  a  great  priest 
over  the  house  of  God;  let  us  draw  near  with  a  true 
heart  in  fulness  of  faith,  having  our  hearts  sprinkled 
from  an  evil  .conscience :  and  having  our  body  washed 
with  pure  water,  let  us  hold  fast  the  confession  of  our 
hope  that  it  waver  not ;  for  he  is  faithful  that  promised : 
and  let  us  consider  one  another  to  provoke  unto  love 
and  good  works ;  not  forsaking  our  own  assembling 
together,  as  the  custom  of  some  is,  but  exhorting  one 
another;  and  so  much  the  more,  as  ye  see  the  day 
drawing  nigh. 

The  Sin  of  Apostasy. 

For  if  we  sin  wilfully  after  that  we  have  received 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  remaineth  no  more 
a  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  fearful  expectation  of 
judgment,  and  a  fierceness  of  fire  which  shall  devour 
the  adversaries. 

A  man  that  hath  set  at  nought  Moses'  law  dieth  with- 
out compassion  on  the  word  of  two  or  three  witnesses: 
of  how  much  sorer  punishment,  think  ye,  shall  he  be 
judged  worthy,  who  hath  trodden  under  foot  the  Son 
of  God,  and  hath  counted  the  blood  of  the  covenant 
wherewith  he  was  sanctified  an  unholy  thing,  and 
hath  done  despite  unto  the  Spirit  of  grace.? 


84  A  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 

For  we  know  him  that  said,  "Vengeance  belongeth 
unto  me,  I  will  recompense."  And  again,  "The  Lord 
shall  judge  his  people."  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  living  God. 

Remembrance  of  Faithfulness. 

But  call  to  remembrance  the  former  days,  in  which, 
after  ye  were  enlightened,  ye  endured  a  great  conflict 
of  sufferings;  partly,  being  made  a  gazingstock  both 
by  reproaches  and  afflictions;  and  partly,  becoming 
partakers  with  them  that  were  so  used. 

For  ye  both  had  compassion  on  them  that  were  in 
bonds,  and  took  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  your  posses- 
sions, knowing  that  ye  have  for  yourselves  a  better  pos- 
session and  an  abiding  one. 

Cast  not  away  therefore  your  boldness,  which  hath 
great  recompense  of  reward.  For  ye  have  need  of 
patience,  that,  having  done  the  will  of  God,  ye  may 
receive  the  promise. 

"For  yet  a  very  little  while, 

He  that  cometh  shall  come,  and  shall  not  tarry. 
But  my  righteous  one  shall  live  by  faith: 
And  if  he  shrink  back,  my  soul  hath  no  pleasure 
in  him. " 

But  we  are  not  of  them  that  shrink  back  unto  per- 
dition ;  but  of  them  that  have  faith  unto  the  saving  of 
the  soul. 

The  Heroes  of  Faith. 

Now  faith  is  assurance  of  things  hoped  for,  a  convic- 
tion of  things  not  seen.  For  therein  the  elders  had 
witness  borne  to  them. 

By  faith  we  understand  that  the  worlds  have  been 
framed  by  the  word  of  God  so  that  what  is  seen  hath 
not  been  made  out  of  things  which  appear. 


the  faith  of  abel  85 

The  Faith  of  Abel. 

By  faith  Abel  offered  unto  God  a  more  excellent 
sacrifice  than  Cain,  through  which  he  had  witness 
borne  to  him  that  he  was  righteous,  God  bearing  wit- 
ness in  respect  of  his  gifts:  and  through  it  he  being 
dead    yet    speaketh. 

The  Faith  of  Enoch, 

By  faith  Enoch  was  translated  that  he  should  not 
see  death;  and  he  was  not  found,  because  God  trans- 
lated him:  for  he  hath  had  witness  borne  to  him  that 
before  his  translation  he  had  been  well-pleasing  unto 
God:  and  without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  be  well- 
pleasing  unto  him;  for  he  that  cometh  to  God  must 
believe  that  -he  is,  and  that  he  is  a  rewarder  of  them 
that  seek  after  him. 

The  Faith  of  Noah. 

By  faith  Noah,  being  warned  of  God  concerning 
things  not  seen  as  yet,  moved  with  godly  fear,  prepared 
an  ark  to  the  saving  of  his  house;  through  which  he 
condemned  the  world,  and  became  heir  of  the  right- 
eousness which  is  according  to  faith. 

The  Faith  of  Abraham  and  Sarah. 

By  faith  Abraham,  when  he  was  called,  obeyed  to 
go  out  unto  a  place  which  he  was  to  receive  for  an 
inheritance;  and  he  went  out,  not  knowing  whither  he 
went.  By  faith  he  became  a  sojourner  in  the  land  of 
promise,  as  in  a  land  not  his  own,  dwelling  in  tents, 
with  Isaac  and  Jacob,  the  heirs  with  him  of  the  same 
promise:  for  he  looked  for  the  city  which  hath  the 
foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God. 

By  faith  even  Sarah  herself  received  power  to  con- 
ceive seed  when  she  was  past  age,  since]she  counted  him 
faithful  who  had  promised :  wherefore  also  there  sprang 


S6  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

of  one,  and  him  as  good  as  dead,  so  many  as  the  stars  of 
heaven  in  multitude,  and  as  the  sand,  which  is  by  the 
sea-shore,  innumerable. 

The  Pilgrims  of  Faith. 

These  all  died  in  faith,  not  having  received  the  prom- 
ises, but  having  seen  them  and  greeted  them  from  afar, 
and  having  confessed  that  they  were  strangers  and  pil- 
grims on  the  earth.  For  they  that  say  such  things 
make  it  manifest  that  they  are  seeking  after  a  country 
of  their  own.  And  if  indeed  they  had  been  mindful  of 
that  country  from  which  they  went  out,  they  would 
have  had  opportunity  to  return.  But  now  they  desire 
a  better  country,  that  is,  a  heavenly:  wherefore  God 
is  not  ashamed  of  them,  to  be  called  their  God;  for 
he  hath  prepared  for  them  a  city. 

The  Faith  of  the  Patriarchs. 

By  faith  Abraham,  being  tried,  offered  up  Isaac: 
yea,  he  that  had  gladly  received  the  promises  was  offer- 
ing up  his  only  begotten  son;  even  he  to  whom  it  was 
said.  In  Isaac  shall  thy  seed  be  called:  accounting 
that  God  is  able  to  raise  up,  even  from  the  dead;  from 
whence  he  did  also  in  a  figure  receive  him  back. 

By  faith  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  and  Esau,  even  con- 
cerning things  to  come. 

By  faith  Jacob,  when  he  was  dying,  blessed  each  of 
the  sons  of  Joseph;  and  worshipped,  leaning  upon  the 
top  of  his  staff. 

By  faith  Joseph,  when  his  end  was  nigh,  made  men- 
tion of  the  departure  of  the  children  of  Israel;  and 
gave  commandment  concerning  his  bones. 

The  Faith  of  Moses'  Parents. 
By  faith  Moses,  when  he  was  born,  was  hid  three 
months  by  his  parents,   because  they  saw  he  was  a 


THE  FAITH  OF  MOSES  87 

goodly  child;  and  they  were  not  afraid  of  the  king's 
commandment. 

The  Faith  of  Moses. 

By  faith  Moses,  when  he  was  grown  up,  refused  to 
be  called  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter;  choosing  rather 
to  share  ill  treatment  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season;  accounting  the 
reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the  treasures 
of  Egypt:  for  he  looked  unto  the  recompense  of  reward. 

By  faith  he  forsook  Egypt,  not  fearing  the  wrath 
of  the  king:  for  he  endured,  as  seeing  him  who  is  in- 
visible. By  faith  he  kept  the  passover,  and  the  sprink- 
ling of  the  blood,  that  the  destroyer  of  the  firstborn 
should  not  touch  them. 

The  Faith  that  Conquered  Canaan. 

By  faith  they  passed  through  the  Red  sea  as  by 
dry  land:  which  the  Egyptians  assaying  to  do  were 
swallowed  up. 

By  faith  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down,  after  they 
had  been  compassed  about  for  seven  days. 

By  faith  Rahab  the  harlot  perished  not  with  them 
that  were  disobedient,  having  received  the  spies  with 
peace. 

The  Victories  of  Faith. 

And  what  shall  I  more  say?  for  the  time  will  fail  me 
if  I  tell  of  Gideon,  Barak,  Samson,  Jephthah;  of  David 
and  Samuel  and  the  prophets: who  through  faith  sub- 
dued kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness,  obtained 
promises,  stopped  the  mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the 
power  of  fire,  escaped  the  edge  of  the  sword,  from 
weakness  were  made  strong,  waxed  mighty  in  war, 
turned  to  flight  armies  of  aliens.  Women  received 
their  dead  by  a  resurrection :  and  others  were  tortured, 
not  accepting  their  deliverance;  that  they  might  obtain 


88  A  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 

a  better  resurrection:  and  others  had  trial  of  mockings 
and  scourgings,  yea,  moreover  of  bonds  and  imprison- 
ment: they  were  stoned,  they  were  sawn  asunder,  they 
were  tempted,  they  were  slain  with  the  sword:  they 
went  about  in  sheepskins,  in  goatskins;  being  destitute, 
afflicted,  ill-treated  (of  whom  the  world  Avas  not 
worthy),  wandering  in  deserts  and  mountains  and 
caves,  and  the  holes  of  the  earth. 

And  these  all,  having  had  witness  borne  to  them 
through  their  faith,  received  not  the  promise,  God 
having  provided  some  better  thing  concerning  us,  that 
apart  from  us  they  should  not  be  made  perfect. 

Incentives  to  Perseverance. 

Therefore  let  us  also,  seeing  we  are  compassed  about 
with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  lay  aside  every 
weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset  us,  and 
let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us, 
looking  unto  Jesus  the  author  and  perfecter  of  our 
faith,  who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him  endured 
the  cross,  despising  shame,  and  hath  sat  down  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God. 

For  consider  him  that  hath  endured  such  gainsaying 
of  sinners  against  himself,  that  ye  wax  not  weary, 
fainting  in  your  souls.  Ye  have  not  yet  resisted  unto 
blood,  striving  against  sin:  and  ye  have  forgotten  the 
exhortation  which  reasoneth  with  you  as  with  sons, 

"My  son,  regard  not  lightly  the  chastening  of 
the  Lord, 

Nor  faint  when  thou  art  reproved  of  him; 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth. 

And  scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth. " 

The  Chastening  of  Love. 

It  is  for  chastening  that  ye  endure;  God  dealeth  with 
you  as  with  sons;  for  what  son  is  there  whom  his  father 
chasteneth   not?     But   if   ye   are   without   chastening, 


FALLING  SHORT  OF  GRACE  89 

whereof  all  have  been  made  partakers,  then  are  ye 
bastards,  and  not  sons. 

Furthermore,  we  had  the  fathers  of  our  flesh  to 
chasten  us,  and  we  gave  them  reverence:  shall  we  not 
much  rather  be  in  subjection  unto  the  Father  of  spirits, 
and  live?  For  they  indeed  for  a  few  days  chastened  us 
as  seemed  good  to  them;  but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we 
may  be  partakers  of  his  holiness. 

All  chastening  seemeth  for  the  present  to  be  not 
joyous  but  grievous;  yet  afterward  it  yieldeth  peaceable 
fruit  unto  them  that  have  been  exercised  thereby,  even 
the  fruit  of  righteousness. 

Wherefore  lift  up  the  hands  that  hang  down,  and 
the  palsied  knees;  and  make  straight  paths  for  your 
feet,  that  that  which  is  lame  be  not  turned  out  of  the 
way,  but  rattier  be  healed. 

Falling  Short  of  Grace. 

Follow  after  peace  with  all  men,  and  the  sanctifica- 
tion  without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord;  looking 
carefully  lest  there  be  any  man  that  falleth  short  of 
the  grace  of  God;  lest  any  root  of  bitterness  springing 
up  trouble  you,  and  thereby  the  many  be  defiled;  lest 
there  be  any  fornicator,  or  profane  person,  as  Esau, 
who  for  one  mess  of  meat  sold  his  own  birthright.  For 
ye  know  that  even  when  he  afterward  desired  to  inherit 
the  blessing,  he  was  rejected;  for  he  found  no  place  for 
a  change  of  mind  in  his  father,  though  he  sought  it  dili- 
gently with  tears. 

Law  and  Grace. 

For  ye  are  not  come  unto  a  mount  that  might  be 
touched,  and  that  burned  with  fire,  and  unto  blackness, 
and  darkness,  and  tempest,  and  the  sound  of  a  trumpet, 
and  the  voice  of  words;  which  voice  they  that  heard 
entreated  that  no  word  more  should  be  spoken  unto 


90  A  LETTER  TO  THE  HEBREWS 

them;  for  they  could  not  endure  that  which  was  en- 
joined, "If  even  a  beast  touch  the  mountain,  it  shall 
be  stoned:"  and  so  fearful  was  the  appearance,  that 
Moses  said,  "I  exceedingly  fear  and  quake:"  but  ye 
are  come  unto  mount  Zion,  and  unto  the  city  of  the 
living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  innumer- 
able hosts  of  angels,  to  the  general  asserhbly  and  church 
of  the  firstborn  who  are  enrolled  in  heaven,  and  to  God 
the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  a  new  covenant, 
and  to  the  blood  of  sprinkling  that  speaketh  better  than 
that  of  Abel. 

See  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that  speaketh.  For  if 
they  escaped  not  when  they  refused  him  that  warned 
them  on  earth,  much  more  shall  not  we  escape  who 
turn  away  from  him  that  warneth  from  heaven:  whose 
voice  then  shook  the  earth :  but  now  he  hath  promised, 
saying,  "Yet  once  more  will  I  make  to  tremble  not  the 
earth  only,  but  also  the  heaven." 

And  this  word,  "Yet  once  more,"  signifieth  the  re- 
moving of  those  things  that  are  shaken,  as  of  things 
that  have  been  made,  that  those  things  which  are  not 
shaken  may  remain. 

Wherefore,  receiving  a  kingdom  that  cannot  be 
shaken,  let  us  have  grace,  whereby  we  may  offer  ser- 
vice well-pleasing  to  God  with  reverence  and  awe:  for 
our  God  is  a  consuming  fire. 

The  Christian  Fraternity. 

Let  love  of  the  brethren  continue.  Forget  not  to 
show  love  unto  strangers:  for  thereby  some  have  en- 
tertained angels  unawares.  Remember  them  that  are 
in  bonds,  as  bound  with  them;  them  that  are  ill-treated, 
as  being  yourselves  also  in  the  body. 

Let  marriage  be  had  in  honor  among  all,  and  let 


THE   CHRISTIAN  FRATERNITY  91 

the  bed  be  undefiled:  for  fornicators  and  adulterers 
God  will  judge. 

Be  ye  free  from  the  love  of  money;  content  with 
such  things  as  ye  have:  for  himself  hath  said,  "I  will 
in  no  wise  fail  thee,  neither  will  I  in  any  wise  forsake 
thee."     So  that  with  good  courage  we  say, 

"The  Lord  is  my  helper;  I  will  not  fear: 
What  shall  man  do  unto  me?" 

Remember  them  that  had  the  rule  over  you,  men 
that  spake  unto  you  the  word  of  God;  and  considering 
the  issue  of  their  life,  imitate  their  faith. 

Jesus  Christ  is  the  same  yesterday  and  to-day,  yea 
and  for  ever.  Be  not  carried  away  by  divers  and 
strange  teachings:  for  it  is  good  that  the  heart  be  es- 
tablished by  grace;  not  by  meats,  wherein  they  that 
occupied  themselves  were  not  profited. 

We  have  an  altar,  whereof  they  have  no  right  to  eat 
that  serve  the  tabernacle.  For  the  bodies  of  those 
beasts  whose  blood  is  brought  into  the  holy  place 
by  the  high  priest  as  an  offering  for  sin,  are  burned 
without  the  camp.  Wherefore  Jesus  also,  that  he 
might  sanctify  the  people,  through  his  own  blood, 
suffered  without  the  gate. 

Let  us  therefore  go  forth  unto  him  without  the  camp, 
bearing  his  reproach.  For  we  have  not  here  an  abid- 
ing city,  but  we  seek  after  the  city  which  is  to  come. 
Through  him  then  let  us  offer  up  a  sacrifice  of  praise 
to  God  continually,  that  is,  the  fruit  of  lips  which  make 
confession  to  his  name.  But  to  do  good  and  to  com- 
municate forget  not:  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is 
well  pleased. 

Obey  them  that  have  the  rule  over  you,  and  submit 
to  them :  for  they  watch  in  behalf  of  your  souls,  as  they 
that  shall  give  account;  that  they  may  do  this  with 
joy,  and  not  with  grief:  for  this  were  unprofitable  for 
you. 


92  A  LETTER  TO  THE   HEBREWS 

Pray  for  us:  for  we  are  persuaded  that  we  have  a 
good  conscience,  desiring  to  Hve  honorably  in  all 
things.  And  I  exhort  you  the  more  exceedingly  to 
do  this,  that  I  may  be  restored  to  you  the  sooner. 

Benediction. 

Now  the  God  of  peace,  who  brought  again  from 
the  dead  the  great  shepherd  of  the  sheep  with 

THE  blood  of  an  ETERNAL  COVENANT,  EVEN  OUR  LoRD 

Jesus,  make  you  perfect  in  every  good  thing  to 
DO  his  will,  working  in  us  that  which  is  well- 
pleasing  IN  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ;  to 

WHOM     BE    THE     GLORY    FOR    EVER    AND    EVER.       AmEN. 

A  Postscript  of  Salutations. 

But  I  exhort  you,  brethren,  bear  with  the  word  of 
exhortation:  for  I  have  written  unto  you  in  few  words. 
Know  ye  that  our  brother  Timothy  hath  been  set  at 
liberty;  with  whom,  if  he  comes  shortly,  I  will  see  you. 

Salute  all  them  that  have  the  rule  over  you,  and  all 
the  saints.     They  of  Italy  salute  you. 

Grace  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 


A  LETTER  OF  JOHN 

To  Christian  People 


The  Purpose  of  the  Letter. 

That  which  was  from  the  beginning,  that  which  we 
have  heard,  that  which  we  have  seen  with  our  eyes, 
that  which  we  beheld,  and  our  hands  handled,  con- 
cerning the  Word  of  life  (and  the  life  was  manifested, 
and  we  have  seen,  and  bear  witness,  and  declare  unto 
you  the  life,  the  eternal  life,  w^hich  was  with  the  Father, 
and  was  manifested  unto  us) ;  that  which  we  have  seen 
and  heard  declare  we  unto  you  also,  that  ye  also  may 
have  fellowship  with  us:  yea,  and  our  fellowship  is  with 
the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ:  and  these 
things  we  write,  that  our  joy  may  be  made  full. 

Fellowship  with  God. 

And  this  is  the  message  which  we  have  heard  from 
him  and  armounce  unto  you,  that  God  is  light,  and  in 
him  is  no  darkness  at  all.  If  we  say  that  we  have  fel- 
lowship with  him  and  walk  in  the  darkness,  we  lie, 
and  do  not  the  truth :  but  if  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he 
is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  with  another, 
and  the  blood  of  Jesus  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin. 

Forgiveness  of  Sin. 

If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves, 
and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  If  we  confess  our  sins,  he 
is  faithful  and  righteous  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness. 

If  we  say  that  we  have  not  sinned,  we  make  him  a 
liar,  and  his  word  is  not  in  us. 

My  little  children,  these  things  write  I  unto  you  that 
93 


94  A  LETTER  OF  JOHN 

ye  may  not  sin.  And  if  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Ad- 
vocate with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous: 
and  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins;  and  not  for  ours 
only,  but  also  for  the  whole  world. 

Tests  of  Fellowship. 

And  hereby  we  know  that  we  know  him,  if  we  keep 
his  commandments.  He  that  saith,  I  know  him,  and 
keepeth  not  his  commandments,  is  a  liar,  and  the  truth 
is  not  in  him;  but  whoso  keepeth  his  word,  in  him  verily 
hath  the  love  of  God  been  perfected. 

Hereby  we  know  that  we  are  in  him:  he  that  saith 
he  abideth  in  him  ought  himself  also  to  walk  even  as 
he  walked. 

Beloved,  no  new  commandment  write  I  unto  you, 
but  an  old  commandment  which  ye  had  from  the  be- 
ginning: the  old  commandment  is  the  word  which  ye 
heard.  Again,  a  new  commandment  write  I  unto 
you,  which  thing  is  true  in  him  and  in  you;  because  the 
darkness  is  passing  away,  and  the  true  light  already 
shineth.  He  that  saith  he  is  in  the  light  and  hateth 
his  brother,  is  in  the  darkness  even  until  now.  He 
that  loveth  his  brother  abideth  in  the  light,  and  there 
is  no  occasion  of  stumbling  in  him.  But  he  that  hateth 
his  brother  is  in  the  darkness,  and  walketh  in  the  dark- 
•ness,  and  knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth,  because  the 
darkness  hath  blinded  his  eyes. 

Dangers  of  Worldliness. 

I  write  unto  you,  my  little  children,  because  your 
sins  are  forgiven  you  for  his  name's  sake.  I  write 
unto  you,  fathers,  because  ye  know  him  who  is  from 
the  beginning.  I  write  unto  you,  young  men,  because 
ye  have  overcome  the  evil  one. 

I  have  written  unto  you,  little  children,  because  ye 
know  the  Father.     I  have  written  unto  you,  fathers. 


DENIERS  OF   CHRIST  95 

because  ye  know  him  v/ho  is  from  the  beginning.  I 
have  written  unto  you,  young  men,  because  ye  are 
strong,  and  the  word  of  God  abideth  in  you,  and  ye 
have  overcome  the  evil  one. 

Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are  in 
the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the 
Father  is  not  in  him.  For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the 
lust  of  the  flesh  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes  and  the  vain- 
glory of  life,  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world. 
And  the  world  passeth  away,  and  the  lust  thereof: 
but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  God  abideth  for  ever. 

Deniers  of  Christ. 

Little  children,  it  is  the  last  hour:  and  as  ye  heard 
that  antichrist  cometh,  even  now  have  there  arisen 
many  antichrists;  whereby  we  know  that  it  is  the  last 
hour.  They  went  out  from  us,  but  they  were  not  of 
us;  for  if  they  had  been  of  us,  they  would  have  con- 
tinued with  us:  but  they  went  out,  that  they  might 
be  made  manifest  that  they  all  are  not  of  us.  And  ye 
have  an  anointing  from  the  Holy  One,  and  ye  know 
all  things. 

I  have  not  written  unto  you  because  ye  know  not 
the  truth,  but  because  ye  know  it,  and  because  no  lie 
is  of  the  truth.  Who  is  the  liar  but  he  that  denieth 
that  Jesus  is  the  Christ?  This  is  the  antichrist,  even 
he  that  denieth  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Whosoever 
denieth  the  Son,  the  same  hath  not  the  Father:  he  that 
confesseth   the    Son   hath   the    Father   also. 

Abiding  in  the  Truth. 

As  for  you,  let  that  abide  in  you  which  ye  heard  from 
the  beginning.  If  that  which  ye  heard  from  the  begin- 
ning abide  in  you,  ye  also  shall  abide  in  the  Son,  and 
in  the  Father.  And  this  is  the  promise  which  he  prom- 
ised us,  even  the  life  eternal. 


96  A  LETTER  OF  JOHN 

These  things  have  I  written  unto  you  concerning 
them  that  would  lead  you  astray.  And  as  for  you,  the 
anointing  which  ye  received  of  him  abideth  in  you,  and 
ye  need  not  that  any  one  teach  you;  but  as  his  anoint- 
ing teacheth  you  concerning  all  things,  and  is  true, 
and  is  no  lie,  and  even  as  it  taught  you,  ye  abide  in 
him.  And  now,  my  little  children,  abide  in  him;  that, 
if  he  shall  be  manifested,  we  may  have  boldness,  and 
not  be  ashamed  before  him  at  his  coming. 

Righteous  Children  of  God. 

If  ye  know  that  he  is  righteous,  ye  know  that  every 
one  also  that  doeth  righteousness  is  begotten  of  him. 

Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  be- 
stowed upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  children  of 
God;  and  such  we  are.  For  this  cause  the  world 
knoweth  us  not,  because  it  knew  not  him. 

Beloved,  now  are  we  children  of  God,  and  it  is  not 
yet  made  manifest  what  we  shall  be.  We  know  that, 
if  he  shall  be  manifested,  we  shall  be  like  him;  for  we 
shall  see  him  even  as  he  is.  And  every  one  that  hath 
this  hope  set  on  him  purifieth  himself,  even  as  he  is 
pure. 

Every  one  that  doeth  sin  doeth  also  lawlessness; 
and  sin  is  lawlessness.  And  ye  know  that  he  was  man- 
ifested to  take  away  sins;  and  in  him  is  no  sin.  Who- 
soever abideth  in  him  sinneth  not:  whosoever  sin- 
neth  hath  not  seen  him,   neither  knoweth  him. 

My  little  children,  let  no  man  lead  you  astray:  he 
that  doeth  righteousness  is  righteous,  even  as  he  is 
righteous:  he  that  doeth  sin  is  of  the  devil;  for  the 
devil  sinneth  from  the  beginning.  To  this  end  was 
the  Son  of  God  manifested,  that  he  might  destroy 
the  works  of  the  devil.  Whosoever  is  begotten  of 
God  doeth  no  sin,  because  his  seed  abideth  in  him: 
and   he  cannot   sin,   because  he  is  begotten  of   God. 


LOVING  CHILDREN  OF  GOD  97 

In  this  the  children  of  God  are  manifest,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  the  devil:  whosoever  doeth  not  righteousness 
is  not  of  God,  neither  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother. 

Loving  Children  of  God. 

For  this  is  the  message  which  ye  heard  from  the 
beginning,  that  we  should  love  one  another:  not  as 
Cain  was  of  the  evil  one,  and  slew  his  brother. 

And  wherefore  slew  he  him?  Because  his  works 
were  evil,  and  his  brother's  righteous.  Marvel  not, 
brethren,  if  the  world  hateth  you. 

We  know  that  we  have  passed  out  of  death  into 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren.  He  that  Ijveth 
not  abideth  in  death.  Whosoever  hateth  his  brother 
is  a  murderer:  and  ye  know  that  no  murderer  hath 
eternal  life  abiding  in  him. 

Hereby  know  we  love,  because  he  laid  down  his  life 
for  us:  and  we  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the 
brethren.  But  whoso  hath  the  world's  goods,  and 
beholdeth  his  brother  in  need,  and  shutteth  up  his 
compassion  from  him,  how  doth  the  love  of  God  abide 
in  him?  My  little  children,  let  us  not  love  in  word, 
neither  with  the  tongue;  but  in  deed  and  truth. 

Faithful  Children  of  God. 

Hereby  shall  we  know  that  we  are  of  the  truth,  and 
shall  assure  our  heart  before  him:  because  if  our  heart 
condemn  us,  God  is  greater  than  our  heart,  and  know- 
eth  all  things. 

Beloved,  if  our  heart  condemn  us  not,  we  have  bold- 
ness toward  God;  and  whatsoever  we  ask  we  receive 
of  him,  because  we  keep  his  commandments  and  do 
the  things  that  are  pleasing  in  his  sight.  And  this  is 
his  commandment,  that  we  should  believe  in  the  name 
of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  love  one  another,  even 
as  he  gave  us  commandment.  And  he  that  keepeth 
his  commandments  abideth   in  him,   and   he  in  him. 


98  A   LETTER  OF  JOHN 

And  hereby  we  know  that  he  abideth  in  us,  by  the 
Spirit  which  he  gave  us. 

The  True  and  the  False. 

Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit,  but  prove  the 
spirits  whether  they  are  of  God;  because  many  false 
prophets  are  gone  out  into  the  world. 

Hereby  know  ye  the  Spirit  of  God:  every  spirit  that 
confesseth  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh  is  of 
God:  and  every  spirit  that  confesseth  not  Jesus  is 
not  of  God:  and  this  is  the  spirit  of  the  antichrist, 
whereof  ye  have  heard  that  it  cometh ;  and  now  it  is  in 
the  world  already. 

Ye  are  of  God,  my  little  children,  and  have  overcome 
them :  because  greater  is  he  that  is  in  you  than  he  that 
is  in  the  world.  They  are  of  the  world:  therefore 
speak  they  as  of  the  w^orld,  and  the  world  heareth 
them.  We  are  of  God:  he  that  knoweth  God  heareth 
us;  he  who  is  not  of  God  heareth  us  not.  By  this  we 
know  the  spirit  of  truth,  and  the  spirit  of  error. 

Love  as  the  Test. 

Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another:  for  love  is  of  God; 
and  every  one  that  loveth  is  begotten  of  God,  and 
knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not  knoweth  not  God; 
for  God  is  love. 

Herein  was  the  love  of  God  maiiifested  in  us,  that 
God  hath  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world 
that  we  might  live  through  him.  Herein  is  love,  "not 
that  we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us  and  sent  his 
Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins. 

Beloved,  if  God  so  loved  us,  we  also  ought  to  love 
one  another.  No  man  hath  beheld  God  at  any  time: 
if  we  love  one  another,  God  abideth  in  us,  and  his 
love  is  perfected  in  us:  hereby  we  know  that  we  abide 
in  him  and  he  in  us,  because  he  hath  given  us  of  his 
Spirit.     And  we    have  beheld   and  bear  witness  that 


THE   WITNESS  OF  THE   TRUTH  '    99 

the  Father  hath  sent  the  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the 
world. 

Whosoever  shall  confess  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of 
God,  God  abideth  in  him,  and  he  in  God.  And  we 
know  and  have  believed  the  love  which  God  hath  in 
us.  God  is  love;  and  he  that  abideth  in  love  abideth 
in  God,  and  God  abideth  in  him. 

Herein  is  love  made  perfect  with  us,  that  we  may 
have  boldness  in  the  day  of  judgment;  because  as  he 
is,  even  so  are  we  in  this  world.  There  is  no  fear  in 
love:  but  perfect  love  casteth  out  fear,  because  fear 
hath  punishment;  and  he  that  feareth  is  not  made 
perfect  in  love.     We  love,  because  he  first  loved  us. 

If  a  man  say,  I  love  God,  and  hateth  his  brother,  he 
is  a  liar:  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother  whom  he 
hath  seen,  cannot  love  God  whom  he  hath  not  seen. 
And  this  commandment  have  we  from  him,  that  he 
who  loveth  God  love  his  brother  also. 

.  Whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  is  be- 
gotten of  God:  and  whosoever  loveth  him  that  begat 
loveth  him  also  that  is  begotten  of  him.  Hereby  we 
know  that  we  love  the  children  of  God,  when  we  love 
God  and  do  his  commandments.  For  this  is  the  love 
of  God,  that  we  keep  his  commandments :  and  his  com- 
mandments are  not  grievous. 

The  Witness  of  the  Truth. 

For  whatsoever  is  begotten  of  God  overcometh  the 
world:  and  this  is  the  victory  that  hath  overcome  the 
world,  even  our  faith.  And  who  is  he  that  overcometh 
the  world,  but  he  that  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Son 
of  God? 

This  is  he  that  came  by  water  and  blood,  even  Jesus 
Christ;  not  with  the  water  only,  but  with  the  water  and 
with  the  blood.  And  it  is  the  Spirit  that  beareth  wit- 
ness, because  the  Spirit  is  the  truth.  For  there  are 
three  who  bear  witness,  the  Spirit,  and  the  water,  and 
the  blood :  and  the  three  agree  in  one 


100  A  LETTER  OF  JOHN 

If  we  receive  the  witness  of  men,  the  witness  of  God 
is  greater:  for  the  witness  of  God  is  this,  that  he  hath 
borne  witness  concerning  his  Son.  He  that  beheveth 
on  the  Son  of  God  hath  the  witness  in  him :  he  that  be- 
lieveth  not  God  hath  made  him  a  liar;  because  he  hath 
not  beheved  in  the  witness  that  God  hath  borne  con- 
cerning his  Son.  And  the  witness  is  this,  that  God 
gave  unto  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son. 

He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  the  life;  he  that  hath  not 
the  Son  of  God  hath  not  the  life. 

Christian  Confidence, 

These  things  have  I  written  unto  you,  that  ye  may 
know  that  ye  have  eternal  life,  even  unto  you  that  be- 
lieve on  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God.  And  this  is  the 
boldness  which  we  have  toward  him,  that,  if  we  ask 
anything  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us:  and  if  we 
know  that  he  heareth  us  whatsoever  we  ask,  we  know 
that  we  have  the  petitions  which  we  have  asked  of  him. 

If  any  man  see  his  brother  sinning  a  sin  not  unto 
death,  he  shall  ask,  and  God  will  give  him  life  for  them 
that  sin  not  unto  death.  There  is  a  sin  unto  death: 
not  concerning  this  do  I  say  that  he  should  make  re- 
quest. All  unrighteousness  is  sin:  and  there  is  a  sin 
not  unto  death. 

Holy  Living. 

We  know  that  whosoever  is  begotten  of  God  sinneth 
not;  but  he  that  was  begotten  of  God  keepeth  himself, 
and  the  evil  one  toucheth  him  not.  We  know  that  we 
are  of  God,  and  the  whole  world  lieth  in  the  evil  one. 

And  we  know  that  the  Son  of  God  is  come,  and  hath 
given  us  an  understanding,  that  we  know  him  that  is 
true,  and  we  are  in  him  that  is  true,  even  in  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ.     This  is  the  true  God,  and  eternal  life. 

My  little  children,  guard  yourselves  from  idols. 


A  LETTER  OF  JOHN, 
To  A  Christian  Lady. 


Salutation. 

The  elder  unto  the  elect  lady  and  her  chil- 
dren, WHOM  I  love  in  truth;  and  not  I  only,  but 

ALSO     ALL     they     THAT     KNOW     THE     TRUTH;      FOR     THE 
truth's    sake    which   ABIDETH   IN  US,    AND    IT  SHALL  BE 

WITH  US  FOR  ever:  Grace,  mercy,  peace  shall  be 

WITH     US,    FROM    GoD    THE     FATHER,    AND     FROM     JeSUS 

Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Father,  in  truth  and  love. 
Walking  in  Truth. 

I  rejoice  greatly  that  I  have  found  certain  of  thy 
children  walking  in  truth,  even  as  we  received  com- 
mandment from  the  Father.  And  now  I  beseech  thee, 
lady,  not  as  though  I  wrote  to  thee  a  new  command- 
ment, but  that  .which  we  had  from  the  beginning,  that 
we  love  one  another.  And  this  is  love,  that  we  should 
walk  after  his  commandments.  This  is  the  command- 
ment, even  as  ye  heard  from  the  beginning,  that  ye 
should  walk  in  it. 

False  Teachers. 

For  many  deceivers  are  gone  forth  into  the  world, 
even  they  that  confess  not  that  Jesus  Christ  cometh  in 
the  flesh.  This  is  the  deceiver  and  the  antichrist. 
Look  to  yourselves,  that  ye  lose  not  the  things  which 
we  have  wrought,  but  that  ye  receive  a  full  reward. 

Whosoever  goeth  onward  and  abideth  not  in  the 
teaching  of  Christ,  hath  not  God:  he  that  abideth  in 
the  teaching,  the  same  hath  both  the  Father  and  the 
101 


102  CONCLUSION. 

Son.  If  any  one  cometh  unto  you,  and  bringeth  not 
this  teaching,  receive  him  not  into  your  house,  and  give 
him  no  greeting:  for  he  that  giveth  him  greeting  par- 
taketh  in  his  evil  works. 

Conclusion. 

Having  many  things  to  write  unto  you,  1  would  not 
write  them  with  paper  and  ink:  but  I  hope  to  come 
unto  you,  and  to  speak  face  to  face,  that  your  joy  may 
be  made  full.  The  children  of  thine  elect  sister  salute 
thee. 


A  LETTER  OF  JOHN 
TO  Gaius. 


Salutation. 

The  elder  unto  Gaius  the  beloved,  whom  I  love 
IN  truth. 

Walking  in  Truth. 

Beloved,  I  pray  that  in  all  things  thou  mayest  prosper 
and  be  in  health,  even  as  thy  soul  prospereth.  For  I 
rejoiced  greatly,  when  brethren  came  and  bare  witness 
unto  thy  truth,  even  as  thou  walkest  in  truth.  Greater 
joy  have  I  none  than  this,  to  hear  of  my  children  walk- 
ing in  the  truth. 

Hospitality. 

Beloved,  thou  doest  a  faithful  work  in  whatsoever 
thou  doest  toward  them  that  are  brethren  and  strangers 
withal;  who  bare  witness  to  thy  love  before  the  church: 
whom  thou  wilt  do  well  to  set  forward  on  their  journey 
worthily  of  God :  because  that  for  the  sake  of  the  Name 


UNHOLY  AMBITION  103 

they  went  forth,  taking  nothing  of  the  Gentiles.  We 
therefore  ought  to  welcome  such,  that  we  may  be  fel- 
low-workers for  the  truth. 

Unholy  Ambition. 

I  wrote  somewhat  unto  the  church:  but  Diotrephes, 
who  loveth  to  have  the  pre-eminence,  among  them.re- 
ceiveth  us  not.  Therefore,  if  I  come,  I  will  bring  to 
remembrance  his  works  which  he  doeth,  prating  against 
us  with  wicked  words:  and  not  content  therewith, 
neither  doth  he  himself  receive  the  brethren,  and  them 
that  would  he  forbiddeth  and  casteth  them  out  of  the 
church. 

Beloved,  imitate  not  that  which  is  evil,  but  that 
which  is  good.  He  that  doeth  good  is  of  God :  he  that 
doeth  evil  hath  not  seen  God. 

Demetrius  hath  the  witness  of  all  men,  and  of  the 
truth  itself:  yea,  we  also  bear  witness;  and  thou  know- 
est  that  our  witness  is  true. 

Conclusion. 

I  had  many  things  to  write  unto  thee,  but  I  am  un- 
willing to  write  them  to  thee  with  ink  and  pen:  but  I 
hope  shortly  to  see  thee,  and  we  shall  speak  face  to 
face.^  Peace  be  unto  thee.  The  friends  salute  thee. 
Salute  the  friends  by  name. 


THE  REVELATION  OF  JESUS  CHRIST 


Introduction. 

The  Revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  God  gave 
him  to  show  unto  his  servants,  even  the  things  which 
must  shortly  come  to  pass:  and  he  sent  and  signified 
it  by  his  angel  unto  his  servant  John;  who  bare  witness 
of  the  word  of  God,  and  of  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Christ, 
even  of  all  things  that  he  saw.  Blessed  is  he  that  read- 
,  eth,  and  they  that  hear  the  words  of  the  prophecy,  and 
keep  the  things  that  are  written  therein:  for  the  time 
is  at  hand. 

Salutation  to  the  Churches. 

John  to  the  seven  churches  that  are  in  Asia:  Grace 
to  you  an4  peace,  from  him  who  is  and  who  was  and 
who  is  to  come;  and  from  the  seven  Spirits  that  are 
before  his  throne;  and  from  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the 
faithful  witness,  the  firstborn  of  the  dead,  and  the  ruler 
of  the  kings  of  the  earth.  * 

Unto  him  that  loveth  us,  and  loosed  us  from  our 
sins  by  his  blood;  and  he  made  us  to  be  a  kingdom,  to 
be  priests  unto  his  God  and  Father;  to  him  be  the  glory 
and  the  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Behold,  he  cometh  with  the  clouds;  and  every  eye 
shall  see  him,  and  they  that  pierced  him;  and  all  the 
tribes  of  the  earth  shall  mourn  over  him.  Even  so. 
Amen. 

I  am  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
who  is  and  who  was  and  who  is  to  come,  the  Almighty. 

101 


john  in  patmos  105 

John  in  Patmos. 

I  John,  your  brother  and  partaker  with  you  in  the 
tribulation  and  kingdom  and  patience  which  are  in 
Jesus,  was  in  the  isle  that  is  called  Patmos,  for  the  word 
of  God  and  the  testimony  of  Jesus. 

I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  I  heard 
behind  me  a  great  voice,  as  of  a  trumpet  saying,  "What 
thou  seest,  write  in  a  book  and  send  it  to  the  seven 
churches:  unto  Ephesus,  and  unto  Smyrna,  and  unto 
Pergamum,  and  unto  Thyatira,  and  unto  Sardis,  and 
unto  Philadelphia,  and  unto  Laodicea." 

The  Vision  of  the  Living  One. 

And  I  turned  to  see  the  voice  that  spake  with  me. 
And  having  turned  I  saw  seven  golden  candlesticks; 
and  in  the  midst  of  the  candlesticks  one  like  unto  a  son 
of  man,  clothed  with  a  garment  down  to  the  foot,  and 
girt  about  at  the  breasts  with  a  golden  girdle.  And 
his  head  and  his  hair  were  white  as  white  wool,  white 
as  snow;  and  his  e3^es  were  as  a  flame  of  fire;  and  his 
feet  like  unto  burnished  brass,  as  if  it  had  been  refined 
in  a  furnace;  and  his  voice  as  the  voice  of  many  waters. 
And  he  had  in  his  right  hand  seven  stars :  and  out  of  his 
mouth  proceeded  a  sharp  two-edged  sword:  and  his 
countenance  was  as  the  sun  shineth  in  his  strength. 
And  when  1  saw  him,  I  fell  at  his  feet  as  one  dead. 

And  he  laid  his  right  hand  upon  me,  saying,  "Fear 
not;  I  am  the  first  and  the  last,  and  the  Living  one; 
and  I  was  dead,  and  behold,  I  am  alive  for  evermore, 
and  I  have  the  keys  of  death  and  of  Hades." 

"Write  therefore  the  things  which  thou  sawest,  and 
the  things  which  are,  and  the  things  which  shall  come 
to  pass  hereafter;  the  mystery  of  the  seven  stars  which 
thou  sawest  in  my  right  hand,  and  the  seven  golden 
candlesticks.     The  seven  stars  are  the  angels  of  the 


106  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

seven  churches:  and  the  seven  candlesticks  are  seven 
churches." 

The  Message  to  Ephesus. 

To  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Ephesus  write: 

These  things  saith  he  that  holdeth  the  seven  stars 
in  his  right  hand,  he  that  walketh  in  the  midst  of  the 
seven  golden  candlesticks:  "I  knowthy  works,  and  thy 
toil  and  patience,  and  that  thou  canst  not  bear  evil 
men,  and  didst  try  them  that  call  themselves  apostles, 
and  they  are  not,  and  didst  find  them  false;  and  thou 
hast  patience  and  didst  bear  for  my  name's  sake,  and 
hast  not  grown  weary. 

"But  I  have  this  against  thee,  that  thou  didst  leave 
thy  first  love.  Remember  therefore  whence  thou  art 
fallen,  and  repent  and  do  the  first  works;  or  else  I  come 
to  thee,  and  will  move  thy  candlestick  out  of  its  place, 
except  thou  repent. 

"But  this  thou  hast,  that  thou  hatest  the  works  of 
the  Nicolaitans,  which  I  also  hate. 

"He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  to  the  churches.  To  him  that  overcometh,  to 
him  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the 
Paradise  of  God." 

The  Message  to  Smyrna. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Smyrna  write : 
These  things  saith  the  first  and  the  last,  who  was 
dead,  and  lived  again:  "I  know  thy  tribulation,  and  thy 
poverty  (but  thou  art  rich),  and  the  blasphemy  of 
them  that  say  they  are  Jews,  and  they  are  not,  but  are 
a  synagogue  of  Satan. 

"Fear  not  the  things  which  thou  art  about  to  suffer : 
behold,  the  devil  is  about  to  cast  some  of  you  into 
prison,  that  ye  may  be  tried;  and  ye  shall  have  tribu- 
lation ten  days.  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I 
will  give  thee  the  crown  of  life. 


THE  MESSAGE  TO   PERGAMUM  107 

"He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  to  the  churches.  He  that  overcometh  shall  not 
be  hurt  of  the  second  death." 

The  Message  to  Pergamum. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Pergamum  write: 

These  things  saith  he  that  hath  the  sharp  two-edged 
sword:  "I  know  where  thou  dwellest,  even  where 
Satan's  throne  is;  and  thou  holdest  fast  my  name,  and 
didst  not  deny  my  faith,  even  in  the  days  of  Antipas 
my  witness,  my  faithful  one,  who  was  killed  among 
you,  where  Satan  dwelleth. 

"But  I  have  a  few  things  against  thee,  because  thou 
hast  there  some  that  hold  the  teaching  of  Balaam, 
who  taught  Balak  to  cast  a  stumbling  block  before  the 
children  of  Israel,  to  eat  things  sacrificed  to  idols,  and 
to  commit  fornication.  So  hast  thou  also  some  that 
hold  the  teaching  of  the  Nicolaitans  in  like  manner. 
Repent  therefore;  or  else  I  come  to  thee  quickly,  and 
I  will  make  war  against  them  with  the  sword  of  my 
mouth. 

"He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  to  the  churches.  To  him  that  overcometh,  to 
him  will  I  give  of  the  hidden  manna,  and  I  will  give 
him  a  white  stone,  and  upon  the  stone  a  new  name 
written,  which  no  one  knoweth  but  he  that  receiveth 
it." 

The  Message  to  Thyatira. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Thyatira  write: 
These  things  saith  the  Son  of  God,  who  hath  his  eyes 
like  a  flame  of  fire,  and  his  feet  are  like  unto  burnished 
brass:  "I  know  thy  works,  and  thy  love  and  faith 
and  ministry  and  patience,  and  that  thy  last  works 
are  more  than  the  first. 

"But  I  have  this  against  thee,  that  thou  sufferest 


108  THE  REVELATION  OF  JESUS  CHRIST 

the  woman  Jezebel,  who  calleth  herself  a  prophetess; 
and  she  teacheth  and  seduceth  my  servants  to  com- 
mit fornication,  and  to  eat  things  sacrificed  to  idols. 
And  I  gave  her  time  that  she  should  repent;  and  she 
willeth  not  to  repent  of  her  fornication.  Behold,  I 
cast  her  into  a  bed,  and  them  that  commit  adultery 
with  her  into  great  tribulation,  except  they  repent  of 
her  works.  And  I  will  kill  her  children  with  death; 
and  all  the  churches  shall  know  that  I  am  he  that 
searcheth  the  reins  and  hearts:  and  I  will  give  unto 
each  one  of  you  according  to  your  works. 

"But  to  you  I  say,  to  the  rest  that  are  in  Thyatira, 
as  many  as  have  not  this  teaching,  who  know  not  the 
deep  things  of  Satan,  as  they  are  wont  to  say;  I  cast 
upon  you  none  other  burden.  Nevertheless  that 
which  ye  have,  hold  fast  till  I  come. 

"And  he  that  overcometh,  and  he  that  keepeth  my 
works  unto  the  end,  to  him  will  I  give  authority  over 
the  nations:  and  he  shall  rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron, 
as  the  vessels  of  the  potter  are  broken  to  shivers;  as  I 
also  have  received  of  my  Father:  and  I  will  give  him 
the  morning  star.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear 
what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches." 

The  Message  to  Sardis. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Sardis  write : 
These  things  saith  he  that  hath  the  seven  Spirits 
of  God,  and  the  seven  stars:  "I  know  thy  works,  that 
thou  hast  a  name  that  thou  livest,  and  thou  art  dead. 
Be  thou  watchful,  and  establish  the  things  that  re- 
main, which  were  ready  to  die:  for  I  have  found  no 
works  of  thine  perfected  before  my  God. 

"Remember  therefore  how  thou  hast  received  and 
didst  hear;  and  keep  it,  and  repent.  If  therefore  thou 
shalt  not  watch,  I  will  come  as  a  thief,  and  thou  shalt 
not  know  what  hour  I  will  come  upon  thee.     But  thou 


THE   MESSAGE   TO   PHILAiJliLPlIlA  109 

hast  a  few  names  in  Sardis  that  did  not  defile  their 
garments:  and  they  shall  walk  with  me  in  white;  for 
they  are  worthy. 

"He  that  overcometh  shall  thus  be  arrayed  in  white 
garments;  and  I  will  in  no  wise  blot  his  name  out  of 
the  book  of  life,  and  I  will  confess  his  name  before  my 
Father,  and  before  his  angels.  He  that  hath  an  ear, 
let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches  J' 

The  Message  to  Philadelphia. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Philadelphia  write: 

These  things  saith  he  that  is  holy,  he  that  is  true, 
he  that  hath  the  key  of  David,  he  that  openeth  and 
none  shall  shut,  and  that  shutteth  and  none  openeth: 
"I  know  thy  works  (behold,  I  have  set  before  thee  a 
door  opened,  which  none  can  shut),  that  thou  hast  a 
little  power,  and  didst  keep  my  word,  and  didst  not 
deny  my  name. 

"Behold,  I  give  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan,  of  them 
that  say  they  are  Jews,  and  they  are  not,  but  do  lie; 
behold,  I  will  make  them  to  come  and  worship  before 
thy  feet,  and  to  know  that  I  have  loved  thee.  Because 
thou  didst  keep  the  word  of  my  patience,  I  also  will 
keep  thee  from  the  hour  of  trial,  that  hour  which  is  to 
come  upon  the  whole  world,  to  try  them  that  dwell 
upon  the  earth.  I  come  quickly:  hold  fast  that  which 
thou  hast,  that  no  one  take  thy  crown. 

"He  that  overcometh,  1  will  make  him  a  pillar  in  the 
-  temple  of  iny  God,  and  he  shall  go  out  thence  no  more : 
and  I  will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God,  and  the 
name  of  the  city  of  my  God,  the  new  Jerusalem,  which 
Cometh  down  out  of  heaven  from  my  God,  and  mine 
own  new  name.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear 
what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches." 


110  the  revelation  of  jesus  christ 

The  Message  to  Laodicea. 

And  to  the  angel  of  the  church  in  Laodicea  write: 

These  things  saith  the  Amen,  the  faithful  and  true 
witness,  the  beginning  of  the  creation  of  God:  "I  know  , 
thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot :  I  would 
thou  wert  cold  or  hot.  So  because  thou  art  lukewarm, 
and  neither  hot  nor  cold,  I  will  spew  thee  out  of  my 
mouth. 

"Because  thou  sayest,  I  am  rich,  and  have  gotten 
riches,  and  have  need  of  nothing;  and  knowest  not  that 
thou  art  the  wretched  one  and  miserable  and  poor  and 
blind  and  naked:  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  re- 
fined by  fire,  that  thou  may  est  become  rich;  and  white 
garments,  that  thou  mayest  clothe  thyself,  and  that 
the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  be  not  made  manifest; 
and  eyesalve  to  anoint  thine  eyes,  that  thou  mayest 
see. 

"As  many  as  I  love,  I  reprove  and  chasten:  be  zealous 
therefore,  and  repent.  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door  and 
knock:  if  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door, 
I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  wit*h  him,  and  he 
with  me. 

"He  that  overcometh,  I  will  give  to  him  to  sit  down 
with  me  in  my  throne,  as  I  also  overcame,  and  sat  down 
with  my  Father  in  his  throne.  He  that  hath  an  ear, 
let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  to  the  churches." 

The  Vision  of  the  Throne. 

After  these  things  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  door  opened 
in  heaven,  and  the  first  voice  that  I  heard,  a  voice  as 
of  a  trumpet  speaking  with  me,  one  saying,  "Come 
up  hither,  and  I  will  show  thee  the  things  which  must 
come  to  pass  hereafter."  * 

Straightway  I  was  in  the  Spirit:  and  behold,  there 
was  a  throne  set  in  heaven,  and  one  sitting  upon  the 
throne;  and  he  that  sat  was  to  look  upon  like  a  jasper 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  SERAPHIM  111 

stone  and  a  sardius:  and  there  was  a  rainbow  round 
about  the  throne,  Hke  an  emerald  to  look  upon. 

And  round  about  the  throne  were  four  and  twenty- 
thrones:  and  upon  the  thrones  I  saw  four  and  twenty 
elders  sitting,  arrayed  in  white  garments;  and  on  their 
heads  crowns  of  gold.  And  out  of  the  throne  proceed 
lightnings  and  voices  and  thunders.  And  there  were 
seven  lamps  of  fire  burning  before  the  throne,  which 
are  the  seven  vSpirits  of  God;  and  before  the  throne,  as 
it  were  a  sea  of  glass  like  unto  crystal;  and  in  the  midst 
of  the  throne,  and  round  about  the  throne,  four  living 
creatures  full  of  eyes  before  and  behind. 

The  Song  of  the  Seraphim. 

And  the  first  creature  was  like  a  lion,  and  the  sec- 
ond creature  like  a  calf,  and  the  third  creature  had  a 
face  as  of  a  man,  and  the  fourth  creature  was  like  a 
fiying  eagle.  And  the  four  living  creatures,  having 
each  one  of  them  six  wings,  are  full  of  eyes  round  about 
and  within:  and  they  have  no  rest  day  and  night, 
saying, 

"Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  God,  the 
Almighty,  who  was  and  who  is  .\nd  who  is 
to  come." 

The  Anthem  of  the  Elders. 

And  when  the  living  creatures  shall  give  glory  and 
honor  and  thanks  to  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
to  him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,  the  four  and 
twenty  elders  shall  fall  down  before  him  that  sitteth 
on  the  throne,  and  shall  worship  him  that  liveth  for 
ever  and  ever,  and  shall  cast  their  crowns  before  the 
throne,  saying, 

"Worthy  art  thou,  our  Lord  and  our 
God,  to  receive  the  glory  and  the  honor 
and  the  power:  for  thou  didst  create  all 
things,  and  because  of  thy  will  they 
were,  and  were  cre.\ted." 


112  the  revelation  of  jesus  christ 

The  Seven  Sealed  Book. 

And  I  saw  in  the  right  hand  of  him  that  sat  on  the 
throne  a  book  written  within  and  on  the  back,  close 
sealed  with  seven  seals. 

And  I  saw  a  strong  angel  proclaiming  with  a  great 
voice,  "Who  is  worthy  to  open  the  book,  and  to  loose 
the  seals  thereof?"  And  no  one  in  the  heaven,  or  on 
the  earth,  or  under  the  earth,  was  able  to  open  the 
book,  or  to  look  thereon. 

And  I  wept  much,  because  no  one  was  found  worthy 
to  open  the  book,  or  to  look  thereon:  and  one  of  the 
elders  saith  unto  me,  "Weep  not;  behold,  the  Lion 
that  is  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  the  Root  of  David,  hath 
overcome  to  open  the  book  and  the  seven  seals  thereof. '' 

The  Lamb. 

And  I  saw  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  and  of  the  four 
living  creatures,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  elders,  a  Lamb 
standing,  as  though  it  had  been  slain,  having  seven 
horns,  and  seven  eyes,  which  are  the  seven  Spirits  of 
God,  sent  forth  into  all  the  earth.  And  he  came,  and 
he  taketh  it  out  of  the  right  hand  of  him  that  sat  on 
the  throne. 

Heaven's  New  Song. 

And  when  he  had  taken  the  book,  the  four  living 
creatures  and  the  four  and  twenty  elders  fell  down 
before  the  Lamb,  having  each  one  a  harp,  and  golden 
bowls  full  of  incense,  which  are  the  prayers  of  the 
saints. 

And  they  sing  a  new  song,  saying, 

"Worthy  art  thou  to  take  the  book,  and  to 
open  the  seals  thereof!  for  thou  wast 
slain,  and  didst  purchase  unto  god  with 
thy  blood  men  of  every  tribe,  and  tongue, 
and  people,  and  nation,  and  madest  them 
to  be  unto  our  god  a  kingdom  and  priests; 
and  they  reign  upon  the  earth." 


the  song  of  the  ten  thousands  113 

The  Song  of  the  Ten  Thousands. 

And  I  saw,  and  I  heard  a  voice  of  many  angels 
round  about  the  throne  and  the  Hving  creatures  and 
the  elders;  and  the  number  of  them  was  ten  thousand 
times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands; 
saying  with  a  great  voice, 

"Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  hath  been 
slain  to  receive  the  power,  and  riches, 

AND    wisdom,     and    MIGHT,     AND    HONOR,     AND 

glory,  and  blessing." 

The  Chorus  of  the  Whole  Creation. 

And  every  created  thing  which  is  in  the  heaven,  and 
on  the  earth,  and  under  the  earth,  and  on  the  sea,  and 
all  things  that  are  in  them,  heard  I  saying, 

"Unto  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne, 
AND  unto  the  Lamb,  be  the  blessing,  and 
the  honor,  and  the  glory,  and  the  do- 
minion, for  ever  and  ever." 

And  the  four  living  creatures  said,  Amen.     And  th^ 
elders    fell    down    and    worshipped. 

The  First  Seal:     The  Conqueror. 

And  I  saw  when  the  Lamb  opened  one  of  the  sevf^ 
seals,  and  I  heard  one  of  the  four  living  creature^ 
saying  as  with  a  voice  of  thunder,  "Come.  " 

And  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  white  horse,  and  he  ttiat 
sat  thereon  had  a  bow;  and  there  was  given  unto  nim 
a  crown:  and  he  came  forth  conquering,  and  to  conquer. 

The  Second  Seal:     War. 

And  when  he  opened  the  second  seal,  I  heard  the 
second  living  creature  saying,  "Come.  " 

And  another  horse  came  forth,  a  red  horse:  and  to 
him  that  sat  thereon  it  was  given  to  take  peace  from 
the  earth,  and  that  they  should  slay  one  another:  and 
there  was  given  unto  him  a  great  sword. 


114  the  revelation  of  jesus  christ 

The  Third  Seal:     Famine. 

And  when  he  opened  the  third  seal,  I  heard  the  third 
living   creature    saying,    "Come." 

And  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  black  horse;  and  he  that 
sat  thereon  had  a  balance  in  his  hand.  And  I  heard 
as  it  were  a  voice  in  the  midst  of  the  four  living  crea- 
tures saying,  "A  measure  of  wheat  for  a  shilling,  and 
three  measures  of  barley  for  a  shilling;  and  the  oil  and 
the  wine  hurt  thou  not.  " 

The  Fourth  Seal:     Death. 

And  when  he  opened  the  fourth  seal,  I  heard  the 
voice  of  the  fourth  living  creature  saying,   "Come." 

And  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  pale  horse:  and  he  that  sat 
upon  him,  his  name  was  Death;  and  Hades  followed 
with  him.  And  there  was  given  unto  them  authority 
over  the  fourth  part  of  the  earth,  to  kill  with  sword, 
and  with  famine,  and  with  death,  and  by  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  earth. 

The  Fifth  Seal:     The  Martyrs. 

And  when  he  opened  the  fifth  seal,  I  saw  underneath 
the  altar  the  souls  of  them  that  had  been  slain  for  the 
word  of  God,  and  for  the  testimony  which  they  held : 
and  they  cried  with  a  great  voice,  saying,  "How  long, 
O  Master,  the  holy  and  true,  dost  thou  not  judge  and 
avenge  our  blood  on  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth?" 
And  there  was  given  them  to  each  one  a  white  robe; 
and  it  was  said  unto  them,  that  they  should  rest  yet 
for  a  little  time,  until  their  fellow-servants  also  and 
their  brethren,  who  should  be  killed  even  as  they  were, 
should    have    fulfilled    their    course. 

The  Sixth  Seal:     Terror. 

And  I  saw  when  he  opened  the  sixth  seal,  and  there 
was  a  great  earthquake;  and  the  sun  became  black  as 


THE  SERVANTS  OF  GOD  SEALED  115 

sackcloth  of  hair,  and  the  whole  moon  became  as  blood; 
and  the  stars  of  the  heaven  fell  unto  the  earth,  as  a  fig 
tree  casteth  her  unripe  figs  when  she  is  shaken  of  a 
great  wind.  And  the  heaven  was  removed  as  a  scroll 
when  it  is  rolled  up;  and  every  mountain  and  island 
were  moved  out  of  their  places. 

And  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  the  princes,  and  the 
chief  captains,  and  the  rich,  and  the  strong,  and  every 
bondman  and  freeman,  hid  themselves  in  the  caves 
and  in  the  rocks  of  the  mountains;  and  they  say  to  the 
mountains  and  to  the  rocks,  "Fall  on  us,  and  hide  us 
from  the  face  of  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and 
from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb:  for  the  great  day  of 
their  wrath  is  come;  and  who  is  able  to  stand?" 

The  Servants  of  God  Sealed. 

After  this  I  saw  four  angels  standing  at  the  four 
corners  of  the  earth,  holding  the  four  winds  of  the 
earth,  that  no  wind  should  blow  on  the  earth,  or  on 
the  sea,  or  upon  any  tree. 

And  I  saw  another  angel  ascend  from  the  sunrising, 
having  the  seal  of  the  living  God :  and  he  cried  with  a 
great  voice  to  the  four  angels  to  whom  it  was  given  to 
hurt  the  earth  and  the  sea,  saying,  "Hurt  not  the 
earth,  neither  the  sea,  nor  the  trees,  till  we  shall  have 
sealed  the  servants  of  our  God  on  their  foreheads." 

And  I  heard  the  number  of  them  that  were  sealed, 
a  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand,  sealed  out  of 
every  tribe  of  the  children  of  Israel: 

Of  the  tribe  of  Judah  were  sealed  twelve  thou 

sand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Reuben  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Gad  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Asher  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Naphtali  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Manasseh  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Simeon  twelve  thousand* 
Of  the  tribe  of  Levi  twelve  thousand; 


116  THE   REVELATION   OP  JESUS   CHRIST  "" 

Of  the  tribe  of  Issachar  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Zebulun  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of  Joseph  twelve  thousand; 
Of  the  tribe  of   Benjamin  were  sealed  twelve 
thousand. 

The  Song  of  the  Great  Multitude. 

After  these  things  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  great  multi- 
tude, which  no  man  could  number,  out  of  every  nation 
and  of  all  tribes  and  peoples  and  tongues,  standing 
before  the  throne  and  before  the  Lamb,  arrayed  in 
white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands;  and  they  cry 
with  a  great  voice,  saying, 

"Salvation  unto  our  God  who  sitteth  pn 
the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb." 

The  Song  of  the  Angels. 

And  all  the  angels  were  standing  round  about  the 
throne,  and  about  the  elders  and  the  four  living  crea- 
tures; and  they  fell  before  the  throne  on  their  faces, 
and  worshipped  God,  saying, 

"Amen:     Blessing,  and  glory,  antd  wisdom, 
and  thanksgiving,  and  honor,  and  power, 

AND  might,  be  unto  OUR  GoD  FOR  EVER  AND 

EVER.     Amen." 
The  Innumerable  Throng  Triumphant. 

And  one  of  the  elders  answered,  saying  unto  me, 
**  These  that  are  arrayed  in  the  white  robes,  who  are 
they,  and  whence  came  they?" 

And  I  say  unto  him,  "My  lord,  thou  knowest." 
And  he  said  to  me,  "These  are  they  that  come  out 
of  the  great  tribulation,  and  they  washed  their  robes, 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
Therefore  are  they  before  the  throne  of  God;  and  they 
serve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple:  and  he  that 
sitteth  on  the  throne  shall  spread  his  tabernacle  over 
them. 


THE  SEVENTH  SEAL:  THE  SEVEN  TRUMPETS  117 

"They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  anymore; 
neither  shall  the  sun  strike  upon  them,  nor  any  heat: 
for  the  Lamb  that  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  be 
their  shepherd,  and  shall  guide  them  unto  fountains 
of  waters  of  life:  and  God  shall  wipe  away  every  tear 
from  their  eyes." 

The  Seventh  Seal:     The  Seven  Trumpets. 

And  when  he  opened  the  seventh  seal,  there  followed 
a  silence  in  heaven  about  the  space  of  half  an  hour. 
And  I  saw  the  seven  angels  that  stand  before  God; 
and  there  were  given  unto  them  seven  trumpets. 

And  another  angel  came  and  stood  over  the  altar, 
having  a  golden  censer ;  and  there  was  given  unto  him 
much  incense,  that  he  should  add  it  unto  the  prayers 
of  all  the  saints  upon  the  golden  altar  which  was  before 
the  throne.  And  the  smoke  of  the  incense,  with  the 
prayers  of  the  saints,  went  up  before  God  out  of  the 
angel's  hand. 

And  the  angel  taketh  the  censer;  and  he  filled  it 
with  the  fire  of  the  altar,  and  cast  it  upon  the  earth: 
and  there  followed  thunders,  and  voices,  and  lightnings, 
and  an  earthquake. 

And  the  seven  angels  that  had  the  seven  trumpets 
prepared  themselves  to   sound. 

The  First  Trumpet:     The  Burning  Earth. 

And  the  first  sounded,  and  there  followed  hail  and 
fire,  mingled  with  blood,  and  they  were  cast  upon  the 
earth:  and  the  third  part  of  the  earth  was  burnt  up, 
and  the  third  part  of  the  trees  was  burnt  up,  and  all 
green  grass  was  burnt  up. 

The  Second  Trumpet:     The  Bloody  Sea. 

And  the  second  angel  sounded,  and  as  it  were  a  great 
mountain  burning  with  fire  was  cast  into  the  sea:  and 


118  THE   REVELATION  OF  JESUS  CHRIST 

the  third  part  of  the  sea  became  blood;  and  there  died 
the  third  part  of  the  creatures  which  were  in  the  sea, 
even  they  that  had  life ;  and  the  third  part  of  the  ships 
was  destroyed. 

The  Third  Trumpet:     The  Bitter  Waters. 

And  the  third  angel  sounded,  and  there  fell  from 
heaven  a  great  star,  burning  as  a  torch,  and  it  fell  upon 
the  third  part  of  the  rivers,  and  upon  the  fountains  of 
the  waters;  and. the  name  of  the  star  is  called  Worm- 
wood: and  the  third  part  of  the  waters  became  worm- 
wood; and  many  men  died  of  the  waters,  because  they 
were  made  bitter. 
The  Fourth  Trumpet:       The  Darkened  Heavens. 

And  the  fourth  angel  sounded,  and  the  third  part  of 
the  sun  was  smitten,  and  the  third  part  of  the  moon, 
and  the  third  part  of  the  stars;  that  the  third  part  of 
them  should  be  darkened,  and  the  day  should  not 
shine  for  the  third  part  of  it,  and  the  night  in  likq 
manner. 

And  I  saw,  and  I  heard  an  eagle,  flying  in  mid  heaven, 
saying  with  a  great  voice,  "Woe,  woe,  woe,  for  them 
that  dwell  on  the  earth,  by  reason  of  the  other  voices 
of  the  trumpet  of  the  three  angels,  who  are  yet  to 
sound. " 

The  Fifth  Trumpet:     Apollyon. 

And  the  fifth  angel  sounded,  and  I  saw  a  star  from 
heaven  fallen  unto  the  earth:  and  there  was  given  to 
him  the  key  of  the  pit  of  the  abyss.  And  he  opened 
the  pit  of  the  abyss;  and  there  went  up  a  smoke  out 
of  the  pit,  as  the  smoke  of  a  great  furnace;  and  the  sun 
and  the  air  were  darkened  by  reason  of  the  smoke  of 
the  pit. 

And  out  of  the  smoke  came  forth  locusts  upon  the 
earth;  and  power  was  given  them,  as  the  scorpions  of 
the  earth  have  power.     And  it  was  said  unto  them  that 


THE  SIXTH  trumpet:  DESTROYING  ANGELS  119 

they  should  not  hurt  the  grass  of  the  earth,  neither  any- 
green  thing,  neither  any  tree,  but  only  such  men  as 
have  not  the  seal  of  God  on  their  foreheads. 

And  it  was  given  them  that  they  should  not  kill 
them,  but  that  they  should  be  tormented  five  months: 
and  their  torment  was  as  the  torment  of  a  scorpion, 
when  it  striketh  a  man.  And  in  those  days  men  shall 
seek  death,  and  shall  in  no  wise  fmd  it;  and  they  shall 
desire  to  die,  and  death  fleeth  from  them. 

And  the  shapes  of  the  locusts  were  like  unto  horses 
prepared  for  war;  and  upon  their  heads  as  it  were 
cjowns  like  unto  gold,  and  their  faces  were  as  men's 
faces.  And  they  had  hair  as  the  hair  of  women,  and 
their  teeth  were  as  the  teeth  of  lions.  And  they  had 
breastplates,  as  it  were  breastplates  of  iron;  and  the 
sound  of  their  wings  was  as  the  sound  of  chariots,  of 
many  horses  rushing  to  war.  And  they  have  tails 
like  unto  scorpions,  and  stings;  and  in  their  tails  is 
their  power  to  hurt  men  five  months. 

They  have  over  them  as  king  the  angel  of  the  abyss: 
his  name  in  Hebrew  is  Abaddon,  and  in  the  Greek 
tongue  he  hath  the  name  Apollyon. 

The  first  Woe  is  past:  behold,  there  come  yet  two 
Woes  hereafter. 

The  Sixth  Trumpet:     Destroying  Angels. 

And  the  sixth  angel  sounded,  and  I  heard  a  voice 
from  the  horns  of  the  golden  altar  which  is  before 
God,  one  saying  to  the  sixth  angel  that  had  the  trum- 
pet, "Loose  the  four  angels  that  are  bound  at  the  great 
river  Euphrates." 

And  the  four  angels  were  loosed,  that  had  been  pre- 
pared for  the  hour  and  day  and  month  and  year,  that 
they  should  kill  the  third  part  of  men.  And  the  num- 
ber of  the  armies  of  the  horsemen  was  twice  ten  thou- 
sand times  ten  thousand:  I  heard  the  number  of  them 


120  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS  CHRIST 

And  thus  I  saw  the  horses  in  the  vision,  and  them 
that  sat  on  them,  having  breastplates  as  of  fire  and  of 
hyacinth  and  of  brimstone :  and  the  heads  of  the  horses 
are  as  the  heads  of  lions;  and  out  of  their  mouths  pro- 
ceedeth  fire  and  smoke  and  brimstone.  By  these  three 
plagues  was  the  third  part  of  men  killed,  by  the  fire 
and  the  smoke  and  the  brimstone,  which  proceeded  out 
of  their  mouths.  For  the  power  of  the  horses  is  in 
their  mouth,  and  in  their  tails:  for  their  tails  are  like 
unto  serpents,  and  have  heads;  and  with  them  they 
hurt. 

And  the  rest  of  mankind,  who  were  not  killed  with 
these  plagues,  repented  not  of  the  works  of  their  hands, 
that  they  should  not  worship  demons,  and  the  idols  of 
gold,  and  of  silver,  and  of  brass,  and  of  stone,  and  of 
wood;  which  can  neither  see,  nor  hear,  nor  walk:  and 
they  repented  not  of  their  murders,  nor  of  their  sor- 
ceries, nor  of  their  fornication,  nor  of  their  thefts. 

Delay  no  Longer. 

And  I  saw  another  strong  angel  coming  down  out  of 
heaven,  arrayed  with  a  cloud;  and  the  rainbow  was 
upon  his  head,  and  his  face  was  as  the  sun,  and  his  feet 
as  pillars  of  fire;  and  he  had  in  his  hand  a  little  book 
open:  and  he  set  his  right  foot  upon  the  sea,  and  his 
left  upon  the  earth;  and  he  cried  with  a  great  voice, 
as  a  lion  roareth:  and  when  he  cried,  the  seven  thunders 
uttered  their  voices. 

And  when  the  seven  thunders  uttered  their  voices, 
I  was  about  to  write :  and  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven 
saying,  "Seal  up  the  things  which  the  seven  thunders 
uttered,  and  write  them  not." 

And  the  angel  that  I  saw  standing  upon  the  sea  and 
upon  the  earth  lifted  up  his  right  hand  to  heaven,  and 
sware  by  him  that  liveth  for  ever  and  ever,  who  created 
the  heaven  and  the  things  that  are  therein,  and  the 


THE   LITTLE   BOOK  EATEN  121 

earth  and  the  things  that  are  therein,  and  the  sea  and 
the  things  that  are  therein,  that  there  shall  be  delay 
no  longer:  but  in  the  days  of  the  voice  of  the  seventh 
angel,  when  he  is  about  to  sound,  then  is  finished  the 
mystery  of  God,  according  to  the  good  tidings  which  he 
declared  to  his  servants  the  prophets. 

The  Little  Book  Eaten. 

And  the  voice  which  I  heard  from  heaven,  I  heard  it 
again  speaking  with  me,  and  saying,  "Go,  take  the 
book  which  is  open  in  the  hand  of  the  angel  that  stand- 
eth  upon  the  sea  and  upon  the  earth." 

And  I  went  unto  the  angel,  saying  unto  him  that  he 
should  give  me  the  little  book. 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "Take  it,  and  eat  it  up;  and 
it  shall  make  thy  belly  bitter,  but  in  thy  mouth  it 
shall  be  sweet  as  honey." 

And  I  took  the  little  book  out  of  the  angel's  hand, 
and  ate  it  up;  and  it  was  in  my  mouth  sweet  as  honey: 
and  when  I  had  eaten  it,  my  belly  was  made  bitter. 

And  they  say  unto  me,  "Thou  must  prophesy  again 
over  many  peoples  and  nations  and  tongues  and  kings.". 

The  Doom  of  Jerusalem. 

And  there  was  given  me  a  reed  like  unto  a  rod:  and 
one  said,  "Rise,  and  measure  the  temple  of  God,  and 
the  altar,  and  them  that  worship  therein.  And  the 
court  which  is  without  the  temple  leave  without,  and 
measure  it  not ;  for  it  hath  been  given  unto  the  nations : 
and  the  holy  city  shall  they  tread  under  foot  forty 
and  two  months.  And  I  will  give  unto  my  two  wit- 
nesses, and  they  shall  prophesy  a  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  threescore  days,  clothed  in  sackcloth." 

These  are  the  two  olive  trees  and  the  two  candle- 
sticks, standing  before  the  Lord  of  the  earth.  And  if 
any  man  desireth  to  hurt  them,  fire  proceedeth  out  of 


122  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

their  mouth  and  devoureth  their  enemies;  and  if  any 
man  shall  desire  to  hurt  them,  in  this  manner  must  he 
be  killed. 

These  have  the  power  to  shut  the  heaven,  that  it 
rain  not  during  the  daj^s  of  their  prophecy:  and  they 
have  power  over  the  waters  to  turn  them  into  blood, 
and  to  smite  the  earth  with  every  plague,  as  often  as 
they  shall  desire. 

And  when  they  shall  have  finished  their  testimony, 
the  beast  that  cometh  up  out  of  the  abyss  shall  make 
war  with  them,  and  overcome  them,  and  kill  them. 
And  their  dead  bodies  lie  in  the  street  of  the  great  city, 
which  spiritually  is  called  Sodom  and  Egypt,  where 
also  their  Lord  was  crucified. 

And  from  among  the  peoples  and  tribes  and  tongues 
and  nations  do  men  look  upon  their  dead  bodies  three 
days  and  a  half,  and  suffer  not  their  dead  bodies  to 
be  laid  in  a  tomb.  And  they  that  dwell  on  the  earth 
rejoice  over  them,  and  make  merry;  and  they  shall  send 
gifts  one  to  another;  because  these  two  prophets  tor- 
mented them  that  dwell  on  the  earth. 

And  after  the  three  days  and  a  half  the  breath  of 
life  from  God  entered  into  them,  and  they  stood  upon 
their  feet;  and  great  fear  fell  upon  them  that  beheld 
them.  And  they  heard  a  great  voice  from  heaven 
saying  unto  them,  "Come  up  hither."  And  they  went 
up  into  heaven  in  the  cloud;  and  their  enemies  beheld 
them.  And  in  that  hour  there  was  a  great  earthquake, 
and  the  tenth  part  of  the  city  fell;  and  there  were  killed 
in  the  earthquake  seven  thousand  persons:  and  the 
rest  were  affrighted,  and  gave  glory  to  the  God  of 
heaven. 

The  second  Woe  is  past:  behold,  the  third  Woe 
cometh  quickly. 


the  seventh  trumpet:  triumph  123 

The  Seventh  Trumpet:     Triumph. 

And  the  seventh  angel  sounded;  and  there  followed 
great  voices  in  heaven,  and  tjiey  said, 

"The  kingdom  of  the  world  is  become  the 

KINGDOM    OF    OUR    LoRD,    AND    OF    HIS    ChRIST: 

and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever." 
The  Song  of  Thanksgiving. 

And  the  four  and  twenty  elders,  who  sit  before  God 
on  their  thrones,  fell  upon  their  faces  and  worshipped 
God,  paying. 

.     "We  give  thee  thanks,  O  Lord  God,  the 
Almighty,  who  art  and  who  wast;  because 

THOU  hast  taken  THY  GREAT  POWER,  AND 
DIDST  REIGN.  AnD  THE  NATIONS  WERE 
WROTH,  AND  THY  WRATH  CAME,  AND  THE  TIME 
OF  THE  DEAD  TO  BE  JUDGED,  AND  THE  TIME  TO 
GIVE  THEIR  REWARD  TO  THY  SERVANTS  THE 
PROPHETS,  AND  TO  THE  SAINTS,  AND  TO  THEM 
THAT  FEAR  THY  NAME,  THE  SMALL  AND  THE 
great;  and  to  destroy  them  that  DESTROY 
THE  EARTH." 

And  there  was  opened  the  temple  of  God  that  is  in 
heaven;  and  there  was  seen  in  his  temple  the  ark  of 
his  covenant ;  and  there  followed  lightnings,  and  voices, 
and  thunders,  and  an  earthquake,  and  great  hail. 

The  Woman,  the  Dragon  and  the  Child. 

And  a  great  sign  was  seen  in  heaven:  a  woman  ar- 
rayed with  the  sun,  and  the  moon  under  her  feet,  and 
upon  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  stars;  and  she  was  with 
child;  and  she  crieth  out,  travailing  in  birth,  and  in 
pain  to  be  delivered. 

And  there  was  seen  another  sign  in  heaven :  and  be- 
hold, a  great  red  dragon,  having  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns,  and  upon  his  heads  seven  diadems.  And  his 
tail  draweth  the  third  part  of  the  stars  of  heaven,  and 
did  cast  them  to  the  earth:  and  the  dragon standeth 


124  THE   REVELATION   OF  jESUS   CHRIST 

before  the  woman  that  is  about  to  be  delivered, that 
when  she  is  delivered  he  may  devour  her  child. 

And  she  was  delivered  of  a  son,  a  man  child,  who  is. 
to  rule  all  the  nations  with  a  rod  of  iron:  and  her  child 
was  caught  up  unto  God,  and  unto  his  throne.  And 
the  woman  fled  into  the  wilderness,  where  she  hath  a 
place  prepared  of  God,  that  there  they  may  nourish 
her  a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days. 

And  there  was  war  in  heaven :  Michael  and  his  angels 
going  forth  to  war  with  the  dragon;  and  the  dragon 
warred  and  his  angels;  and  they  prevailed  not,  n,either 
was  their  place  found  any  more  in  heaven.  And  the 
great  dragon  was  cast  down,  the  old  serpent,  he  that 
is  called  the  Devil  and  Satan,  the  deceiver  of  the  whole 
world;  he  was  cast  down  to  the  earth,  and  his  angels 
were  cast  down  with  him. 

The  Proclamation  of  Power. 
And  I  heard  a  great  voice  in  heaven,  saying, 

"Now  IS  COME  THE  SALVATION,  AND  THE 
POWER,  AND  THE  KINGDOM  OF  OUR  GoD,  ANI> 
THE  AUTHORITY  OF  HIS  ChRIST:  FOR  THE  ACCU- 
SER OF  OUR  BRETHREN  IS  CAST  DOWN,  WHO 
ACCUSETH  THEM  BEFORE  OUR  GoD  DAY  AND 
NIGHT.  And  THEY  OVERCAME  HIM  BECAUSE 
OF  THE  BLOOD  OF  THE  LaMB,  AND  BECAUSE 
OF  THE  WORD  OF  THEIR  TESTIMONY;  AND 
THEY     LOVED      NOT     THEIR     LIFE      EVEN      UNTO 

DEATH.     Therefore    rejoice,    O   heavens, 

AND  YE  THAT  DWELL  IN  THEM.  WoE  FOR  THE 
EARTH  AND  FOR  THE  SEA:  BECAUSE  THE  DEVIL 
IS  GONE  DOWN  UNTO  YOU,  HAVING  GREAT 
WRATH,  KNOWING  THAT  HE  HATH  BUT  A  SHORT 

TIME.  " 

And  when  the  dragon  saw  that  he  was  cast  down  to 
the  earth,  he  persecuted  the  woman  that  brought  forth 
the  man  child.  And  there  were  given  to  the  woman 
the  two  wings  of  the  great  eagle,  that  she  might  fly 


THE  BEAST  OUT  OF  THE  SEA  125 

into  the  wilderness  unto  her  place,  where  she  is  nour- 
ished for  a  time,  and  times,  and  half  a  time,  from  the 
face  of  the  serpent. 

And  the  serpent  cast  out  of  his  mouth  after  the 
woman  water  as  a  river,  that  he  might  cause  her  to  be 
carried  away  by  the  stream.  And  the  earth  helped 
the  woman,  and  the  earth  opened  her  mouth  and  swal- 
lowed up  the  river  which  the  dragon  cast  out  of  his 
mouth.  And  the  dragon  waxed  wroth  with  the  woman, 
and  went  away  to  make  war  with  the  rest  of  her  seed, 
that  keep  the  commandments  of  God,  and  hold  the 
testimony  of  Jesus:  and  he  stood  upon  the  sand  of 
the  sea. 

The  Beast  out  of  the  Sea. 

And  I  saw  a  beast  coming  up  out  of  the  sea,  having 
ten  horns  and  seven  heads,  and  on  his  horns  ten  dia- 
dems, and  upon  his  heads  names  of  blasphemy.  And 
the  beast  which  I  saw  was  like  unto  a  leopard,  and  his 
feet  were  as  the  feet  "of  a  bear,  and  his  mouth  as  the 
mouth  of  a  lion:  and  the  dragon  gave  him  his  power 
and  his  throne,  and  great  authority. 

And  I  saw  one  of  his  heads  as  though  it  had  been 
smitten  unto  death;  and  his  death  stroke  was  healed: 
and  the  whole  earth  wondered  after  the  beast;  and  they 
worshipped  the  dragon,  because  he  gave  his  authority 
unto  the  beast;  and  they  worshipped  the*  beast,  saying, 
"Who  is  like  unto  the  beast?  and  who  is  able  to  war 
with  him?" 

And  there  was  given  to  him  a  mouth  speaking  great 
things  and  blasphemies;  and  there  was  given  to  him 
authority  to  continue  forty  and  two  months.  And  he 
opened  his  mouth  for  blasphemies  against  God,  to 
blaspheme  his  name  and  his  tabernacle,  even  them 
that  dwell  in  the  heaven. 

And  it  was  given  unto  him  to  make  war  with  the 


126  THE  REVELATION   OF  JESUS  CHRIST 

saints, and  to  overcome  them:  and  there  was  given  to 
him  authority  over  every  tribe  and  people  and  tongue 
and  nation.  And  all  that  dwell  on  the  earth  shall 
worship  him,  every  one  whose  name  hath  not  been 
written  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  in  the  book 
of  life  of  the  Lamb  that  hath  been  slain. 

If  any  man  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear.  If  any  man 
is  for  captivity,  into  captivity  he  goeth:  if  any  man  shall 
kill  with  the  sword,  with  the  sword  must  he  be  killed. 
Here  is  the  patience  and  the  faith  of  the  saints. 

The  Beast  out  of  the  Earth. 

And  I  saw  another  beast  coming  up  out  of  the  earth; 
and  he  had  two  horns  like  unto  a  lamb,  and  he  spake 
as  a  dragon.  And  he  exerciseth  all  the  aut"hority  of 
the  first  beast  in  his  sight.  And  he  maketh  the  earth 
and  them  that  dwell  therein  to  worship  the  first  beast, 
whose  death-stroke  was  healed. 

And  he  doeth  great  signs,  that  he  should  even  make 
fire  to  come  down  out  of  heaven  upon  the  earth  in  the 
sight  of  men.  And  he  deceiveth  them  that  dwell  on 
the  earth  by  reason  of  the  signs  which  it  was  given  him 
to  do  in  the  sight  of  the  beast ;  saying  to  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth,  that  they  should  make  an  image  to  the 
beast  who  hath  the  stroke  of  the  sword  and  lived. 

And  it  was  given  unto  him  to  give  breath  to  it,  even 
to  the  image  of  the  beast,  that  the  image  of  the  beast 
should  both  speak,  and  cause  that  as  many  as  should 
not  worship  the  image  of  the  beast  should  be  killed. 
And  he  causeth  all,  the  small  and  the  great,  and  the 
rich  and  the  poor,  and  the  free  and  the  bond,  that  there 
be  given  them  a  mark  on  their  right  hand,  or  upon  their 
forehead ;  and  that  no  man  should  be  able  to  buy  or  to 
sell,  save  he  that  hath  the  mark,  even  the  name  of 
the  beast  or  the  number  of  his  name. 


the  number  of  the  name  of  the  beast        127 

The  Number  of  the  Name  of  the  Beast. 
Here  is  wisdom.      He  that  hath  understanding,  let 
him  count  the  number  of  the  beast;  for  it  is  the  number 
of  a  man:  and  his  number  is  Six  hundred  and  sixty 
and  six. 

The  Lamb  and  the  Undefiled. 

And  I  saw,  and  behold,  the  Lamb  standing  on  the 
mount  Zion,  and  with  him  a  hundred  and  forty  and 
four  thousand,  having  his  name,  and  the  name  of  his 
Father,  written  on  their  foreheads. 

And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  as  the  voice  of 
many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  a  great  thunder :  and 
the  voice  which  I  heard  was  as  the  voice  of  harpers 
harping  with  their  harps:  and  they  sing  as  it  were  a 
new  song  before  the  throne,  and  before  the  four  living 
creatures  and  the  elders:  and  no  man  could  learn  the 
song  save  the  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand, 
even  they  that  had  been  purchased  out  of  the  earth. 

These  are  they  that  were  not  defiled  with  women; 
for  they  are  virgins.  These  are  they  that  follow  the 
Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth.  These  were  purchased 
from  among  men,  to  be  the  first-fruits  unto  God  and 
unto  the  Lamb.  And  in  their  mouth  was  found  no 
lie :  they  are  without  blemish. 

The  Angels  with  Good  Tidings. 

And  I  saw  another  angel  flying  in  mid  heaven,  having 
eternal  good  tidings  to  proclaim  unto  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth,  and  unto  every  nation  and  tribe  and 
tongue  and  people;  and  he  saith  with  a  great  voice, 
"Fear  God,  and  give  him  glory;  for  the  hour  of  his 
judgment  is  come:  and  worship  him  that  made'  the 
heaven  and  the  earth  and  sea  and  fountains  of  waters.  " 

And  another,  a  second  angel,  followed,  saying, 
"Fallen,  fallen  is  Babylon  the  great,  that  hath  made 


128  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

all  the  nations  to  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  her 
fornication.  " 

And  another  angel,  a  third,  followed  them,  saying 
with  a  great  voice,  "If  any  man  worshippeth  the  beast 
and  his  image,  and  receiveth  a  mark  on  his  forehead, 
or  upon  his  hand,  he  also  shall  drink  of  the  winp  of  ■'•he 
wrath  of  God,  which  is  prepared  unmixed  in  the  cap 
of  his  anger;  and  he  shall  be  tormented  with  fire  and 
brimstone  in  the  presence  of  the  holy  angels,  and  in 
the  presence  of  the  Lamb:  and  the  smoke  of  their 
torment  goeth  up  for  ever  and  ever;  and  they  have  no 
rest  day  and  night,  they  that  worship  the  beast  and 
his  image,  and  whoso  receiveth  the  mark  of  his  name. " 

Here  is  the  patience  of  the  saints,  they  that  keep 
the  commandments  of  God,  and  the  faith  of  Jesus. 

And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying,  "Write, 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  from  hence- 
forth: yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labors;  for  their  works  follow  with  them." 

The  Harvest  of  Wrath. 

And  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  white  cloud;  and  on  the 
cloud  I  saw  one  sitting  like  unto  a  son  of  man,  having 
on  his  head  a  golden  crown,  and  in  his  hand  a  sharp 
sickle. 

And  another  angel  came  out  from  the  temple,  crying 
with  a  great  voice  to  him  that  sat  on  the  cloud,  "Send 
forth  thy  sickle,  and  reap:  for  the  hour  to  reap  is  come; 
for  the  harvest  of  the  earth  is  ripe. " 

And  he  that  sat  on  the  cloud  cast  his  sickle  upon  the 
earth;  and  the  earth  was  reaped. 

And  another  angel  came  out  from  the  temple  which 
is  in  heaven,  he  also  having  a  sharp  sickle.  And 
another  angel  came  out  from  the  altar,  he  that  hath 
power  over  fire;  and  he  called  with  a  great  voice  to 
him  that  had  the  sharp  sickle,  saying,  "Send  forth  thy 


THE  SEVEN   ANGELS   WITH  THE   BOWLS   OF  WRATH  129 

sharp  sickle,  and  gather  the  clusters  of  the  vine  of 
the  earth;  for  her  grapes  are  fully  ripe." 

And  the  angel  cast  his  sickle  into  the  earth,  and 
gathered  the  vintage  of  the  earth,  and  cast  it  into  the 
winepress,  the  great  winepress,  of  the  wrath  of  God. 
.  Ajid  the  winepress  was  trodden  without  the  city,  and 
tkere  came  out  blood  from  the  winepress,  even  unto 
the  bridles  of  the  horses,  as  far  as  a  thousand  and  six 
hundred  furlongs. 

The  Seven  Angels  with  the  Bowls  of  Wrath. 

And  I  saw  another  sign  in  heaven,  great  and  mar- 
vellous, seven  angels  having  seven  plagues,  which  are 
the  last,  for  in  them  is  finished  the  wrath  of  God. 

The  Song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb. 

And  I  saw  as  it  were  a  sea  of  glass  mingled  with  fire; 
and  them  that  come  off  victorious  from  the  beast,  and 
from  his  image,  and  from  the  number  of  his  name, 
standing  by  the  sea  of  glass,  having  harps  of  God. 
And  they  sing  the  song  of  Moses  the  servant  of  God, 
and  the  song  of  the  Lamb,  saying, 

"Great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works, 
O  Lord  God,  the  Almighty;  righteous  and 
true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  the  ages. 
Who  shall  not  fear,  O  Lord,  and  glorify 
thy  name?  for  thou  only  art  holy;  for  all 
the     nations     shall     come     and     worship 

BEFORE  thee;  FOR  THY  RIGHTEOUS  ACTS  HAVE 
BEEN    MADE    MANIFEST." 

And  after  these  things  I  saw,  and  the  temple  of  the 

tabernacle  of  the   testimony  in  heaven  was  opened: 

and  there  came  out  from  the  temple  the  seven  angels 

that   had    the    seven    plagues,    arrayed   with    precious 

^   stone,   pure  and  bright,  and  girt  about  their  breasts 

/    with  golden  girdles. 

And  one  of  the  four  living  creatures  gave  unto  the 


130  THE  REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

seven  angels  seven  golden  bowls  full  of  the  wrath  of 
God,  who  liveth  for  ever  and  ever.  And  the  temple 
was  filled  with  smoke  from  the  glory  of  God,  and  from 
his  power;  and  none  was  able  to  enter  into  the  temple, 
till  the  seven  plagues  of  the  seven  angels  should  be 
finished. 

And  I  heard  a  great  voice  out  of  the  temple,  saying 
to  the  seven  angels,  "Go  ye,  and  pour  out  the  seven 
bowls  of  the  wrath  of  God  into  the  earth." 

The  First  Bowl:     Pestilence. 

And  the  first  went,  and  poured  out  his  bowl  into 
the  earth;  and  it  became  a  noisome  and  grievous  sore 
upon  the  men  that  had  the  mark  of  the  beast,  and  that 
worshipped  his  image. 

The  Second  Bowl:     The  Bloody  Sea. 

And  the  second  poured  out  his  bowl  into  the  Fea; 
and  it  became  blood  as  of  a  dead  man ;  and  every  living 
soul  died,  even  the  things  that  were  in  the  sea. 

The  Third  Bowl:     The  Bloody  Rivers. 

And  the  third  poured  out  his  bowl  into  the  rivers 
and  the  fountains  of  the  waters;  and  it  became  blood. 
And  I  heard  the  angel  of  the  waters  saying,  "Righteous 
art  thou,  who  art  and  who  wast,  thou  Holy  One,  because 
thou  didst  thus  judge:  for  they  poured  out  the  blood 
of  saints  and  prophets,  and  blood  hast  thou  given  them 
to   drink:   they  are  worthy." 

And  I  heard  the  altar  saying,  "Yea,  O  Lord  God, 
the  Almighty,  true  and  righteous  are  thy  judgments.  " 

The  Fourth  Bowl:     The  Scorching  Heat. 

And  the  fourth  poured  put  his  bowl  upon  the  sun; 
and  it  was  given  unto  it  to  vScorch  men  with  fire.  And 
men  were  scorched  with  great  heat:  and   they  bias- 


THE   FIFTH   BOWL:  ANGUISH  131 

phemed  the  name  of  God  who  hath  the  power  over 
these  plagues;  and  they  repented  not  to  give  him  glory. 

The  Fifth  Bowl:     Anguish. 

And  the  fifth  poufed  out  his  bowl  upon  the  throne 
of  the  beast;  and  his  kingdom  was  darkened;  and  they 
gnawed  their  tongues  for  pain,  and  they  blasphemed 
the  God  of  heaven  because  of  their  pains  and  their 
sores;  and  they  repented  not  of  their  works. 

The  Sixth  Bowl:     War. 

And  the  sixth  poured  out  his  bowl  upon  the  great 
river,  the  river  Euphrates;  and  the  water  thereof  was 
dried  up,  that  the  way  might  be  made  ready  for  the 
kings   that   come   from   the   sunrising. 

And  I  saw  coming  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  dragon, 
and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  beast,  and  out  of  the  mouth 
of  the  false  prophet,  three  unclean  spirits,  as  it  were 
frogs:  for  they  are  spirits  of  demons,  working  signs; 
which  go  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the  whole  world,  to 
gather  them  together  unto  the  war  of  the  great  day 
of  God,  the  Almighty.  (Behold,  I  come  as  a  thief. 
Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth,  and  keepeth  his  garments, 
lest  he  walk  naked,  and  they  see  his  shame.)  And 
they  gathered  them  together  into  the  place  which  is 
called    in    Hebrew    Har-Magedon. 

The  Seventh  Bowl:     Earthquake 

And  the  seventh  poured  out  his  bowl  upon  the  air; 
and  there  came  forth  a  great  voice  out  of  the  temple, 
from  the  throne,  saying,  "It  is  done":  and  there  were 
lightnings,  and  voices,  and  thunders;  and  there  was  a 
great  earthquake,  such  as  was  not  since  there  were 
men  upon  the  earth,  so  great  an  earthquake,  so  mighty. 

And  the  great  city  was  divided  into  three  parts,  and 
the  cities  of  the  nations  fell :  and  Babylon  the  .  great 


132  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

was  remembered  in  the  sight  of  God,  to  give  unto  her 
the  cup  of  the  wine  of  the  fierceness  of  his  wrath.  And 
every  island  fled  away,  and  the  mountains  were  not 
found. 

And  great  hail,  every  stone  about  the  weight  of  a 
talent,  cometh  down  out  of  heaven  upon  men:  and 
men  blasphemed  God  because  of  the  plague  of  the  hail ; 
for  the  plague  thereof  is  exceeding  great. 

The  Scarlet  Woman. 

And  there  came  one  of  the  seven  angels  that  had  the 
seven  bowls,  and  spake  with  me,  saying,  "Come  hither, 
I  will  show  thee  the  judgment  of  the  great  harlot  that 
sitteth  upon  many  waters;  with  whom  the  kings  of 
the  earth  committed  fornication,  and  they  that  dwell 
in  the  earth  were  made  drunken  with  the  wine  of  her 
fornication." 

And  he  carried  me  away  in  the  Spirit  into  a  wilder- 
ness: and  I  saw  a  woman  sitting  upon  a  scarlet -colored 
beast,  full  of  names  of  blasphemy,  having  seven  heads 
and  ten  horns.  And  the  woman  was  arrayed  in  purple 
and  scarlet,  and  decked  with  gold  and  precious  stone 
and  pearls,  having  in  her  hand  a  golden  cup  full  of 
abominations,  even  the  unclean  things  of  her  fornica- 
tion, and  upon  her  forehead  a  name  written. 


Mystery 
Babylon   the    Great 
THE  Mother  of  the  Harlots 
and    of    the  Abominations 
OF    THE    Earth! 


And  I  saw  the  woman  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the 
saints,  and  with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus. 
And  when  I  saw  her,  I  wondered  with  a  great  wonder. 

And  the  angel  said  unto  me,  "Wherefore  didst  thou 


THE   WICKED  CITY  ON  THE  SEVEN  HILLS  133 

wonder?  I  will  tell  thee  the  mystery  of  the  woman, 
and  of  the  beast  that  carrieth  her,  which  hath  the 
seven  heads  and  the  ten  horns.  The  beast  that  thou 
sawest  was,  and  is  not;  and  is  about  to  come  up  out 
of  the  abyss,  and  to  go  into  perdition.  And  they  that 
dwell  on  the  earth  shall  wonder,  they  whose  name 
hath  not  been  written  in  the  book  of  life  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world,  when  they  behold  the  beast,  how 
that  he  was,  and  is  not,  and  shall  come. 

The  Wicked  City  on  the  Seven  Hills. 

"Here  is  the  mind  that  hath  wisdom.  The  seven 
heads  are  seven  mountains,  on  which  the  woman  sit- 
teth:  and  they  are  seven  kings;  the  five  are  fallen,  the 
one  is,  the  other  is  not  yet  come;  and  when  he  cometh, 
he  must  continue  a  little  while.  And  the  beast  that 
was,  and  is  not,  is  himself  also  an  eighth,  and  is  of  the 
seven;  and  he  goeth  into  perdition. 

"And  the  ten  horns  that  thou  sawest  are  ten  kings, 
who  have  received  no  kingdom  as  yet ;  but  they  receive 
authority  as  kings,  with  the  beast,  for  one  hour. 
These  have  one  mind,  and  they  give  their  power  and 
authority  unto  the  beast.  These  shall  war  against 
the  Lamb,  and  the  Lamb  shall  overcome  them,  for  he 
is  Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings;  and  they  also  shall 
overcome  that  are  with  him,  called  and  chosen  and 
faithful." 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "The  waters  which  thou 
sawest,  where  the  harlot  sitteth,  are  peoples,  and  mul- 
titudes, and  nations,  and  tongues.  And  the  ten  horns 
which  thou  sawest,  and  the  beast,  these  shall  hate  the 
harlot,  and  shall  make  her  desolate  and  naked,  and 
shall  eat  her  flesh,  and  shall  burn  her  utterly  with  fire. 

"For  God  did  put  in  their  hearts  to  do  his  mind, and 
to  come  to  one  mind,  and  to  give  their  kingdom  unto 
the  beast,  until  the  words  of  God  should  be  accom- 


134  THE  REVELATION   OF  JESUS  CHRIST 

plished.     And  the  woman  whom  thou  sawest  is  the 
great  city,  which  reigneth  over  the  kings  of  the  earth. " 

Desolation  of  the  Wicked  City. 

After  these  things  I  saw  another  angel  coming  down 
out  of  heaven,  having  great  authority;  and  the  earth 
was  lightened  with  his  glory.  And  he  cried  with  a 
mighty  voice,  saying,  "Fallen,  fallen  is  Babylon  the 
great,  and  is  become  a  habitation  of  demons,  and  a 
hold  of  every  unclean  spirit,  and  a  hold  of  every  un- 
clean and  hateful  bird.  For  by  the  wine  of  the  wrath 
of  her  fornication  all  the  nations  are  fallen;  and  the 
kings  of  the  earth  committed  fornication  with  her,  and 
the  merchants  of  the  earth  waxed  rich  by  the  power 
of  her  wantonness. " 

And  I  heard  another  voice  from  heaven,  saying, 
"Come  forth,  my  people,  out  of  her,  that  ye  have  no 
fellowship  with  her  sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  of  her 
plagues:  fo?  her  sins  have  reached  even  unto  heaven, 
and  God  hath  remembered  her  iniquities.  Render 
unto  her  even  as  she  rendered,  and  double  unto  her 
the  double  according  to  her  works:  in  the  cup  which 
she  mingled,  mingle  unto  her  double. 

"How  much  soever  she  glorified  herself,  and  waxed 
wanton,  so  much  give  her  of  torment  and  mourning: 
for  she  saith  in  her  heart,  'I  sit  a  queen,  and  am  no 
widow,  and  shall  in  no  wise  see  mourning. '  Therefore 
in  one  day  shall  her  plagues  come,  death,  and  mourn- 
ing, and  famine;  and  she  shall  be  utterly  burned  with 
fire;  for  strong  is  the  Lord  God  who  judged  her. 

"And  the  kings  of  the  earth,  who  committed  fornica- 
tion and  lived  wantonly  with  her,  shall  weep  and  wail 
over  her,  when  they  look  upon  the  smoke  of  her  burn- 
ing, standing  afar  off  for  the  fear  of  her  torment,  say- 
ing, 'Woe,  woe,  the  great  city,  Babylon,  the  strong  city! 
for  in  oneliour  is  thy  judgment  come.* 


DESOLATION   OF  THE   WICKED  CITY  135 

"And  the  merchants  of  the  earth  weep  and  mourn 
over  her,  for  no  man  buyeth  their  merchandise  any 
more;  merchandise  of  gold,  and  silver,  and  precious 
stone,  and  pearls,  and  fine  linen,  and  purple,  and  silk, 
and  scarlet;  and  all  thyine  wood,  and  every  vessel  of 
ivory,  and  every  vessel  made  of  most  precious  wood, 
and  of  brass,  and  iron,  and  marble;  and  cinnamon, 
and  spice,  and  incense,  and  ointment,  and  frankin- 
cense, and  wine,  and  oil,  and  fine  flour,  and  wheat,  and 
cattle,  and  sheep;  and  merchandise  of  horses  and  char- 
iots and  slaves;  and  souls  of  men.  And  the  fruits  which 
thy  soul  lusted  after  are  gone  from  thee,  and  all  things 
that  were  dainty  and  sumptuous  are  perished  from 
thee,  and  men  shall  find  them  no  more  at  all. 

"The  merchants  of  these  things,  who  were  made  rich 
by  her,  shall  stand  afar  off  for  the  fear  of  her  torment, 
weeping  and  mourning;  saying,  'Woe,  woe,  the  great 
city,  she  that  was  arrayed  in  fine  linen  and  purple  and 
scarlet,  and  decked  with  gold  and  precious  stone  and 
pearl!  for  in  one  hour  so  great  riches  is  made  desolate.' 

"And  every  shipmaster,  and  every  one  that  saileth 
any  whither,  and  mariners,  and  as  many  as  gain  their 
living  by  sea,  stood  afar  off,  and  cried  out  as  they  looked 
upon  the  smoke  of  her  burning,  saving,  'What  city  is 
like  the  great  city?' 

"And  they  cast  dust  on  their  heads,  and  cried,  weep- 
ing and  mourning,  saying,  'Woe,  woe,  the  great  city, 
wherein  all  that  had  their  ships  in  the  sea  were  made 
rich  by  reason  of  her  costliness!  for  in  one  hour  is  she 
made  desolate' 

"Rejoice  over  her,  thou  heaven,  and  ye  saints,  and 
ye  apostles,  and  ye  prophets;  for  God  hath  judged 
your  judgment  on  her." 

And  a  strong  angel  took  up  a  stone  as  it  were  a 
great  millstone  and  cast  it  into  the  sea,  saying,  "Thus 
with  a  mighty  fall  shall  Babylon,  the  great  city,  be 


136  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

cast  down,  and  shall  be  found  no  more  at  all.  And  the 
voice  of  harpers  and  minstrels  and  flute-players  and 
trumpeters  shall  be  heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee;  and 
no  craftsman,  of  whatsoever  craft,  shall  be  found  any- 
more at  all  in  thee;  and  the  voice  of  a  mill  shall  be 
heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee;  and  the  light  of  a  lamp 
shall  shine  no  more  at  all  in  thee;  and  the  voice  of  the 
bridegroom  and  of  the  bride  shall  be  heard  no  more  at 
all  in  thee:  for  thy  merchants  were  the  princes  of  the 
earth ;  for  with  thy  sorcery  were  all  the  nations  deceived. 
And  in  her  was  found  the  blood  of  prophets  and  of 
saints,  and  of  all  that  have  been  slain  upon  the  earth." 

The  Fourfold  Hallelujah. 

After  these  things  I  heard  as  it  were  a  great  voice 
of  a  great  multitude  in  heaven,  saying, 

"Hallelujah;  Salvation,  and  glory,  and 

POWER,  belong  TO  OUR  GOD:  FOR  TRUE  AND 

righteous  are  his  judgments;  for  he  hath 
judged  the  great  harlot,  her  that  corrup- 
ted the  earth  with  her  fornication,  and 
he  hath  avenged  the  blood  of  his  servants 
at  her  hand.  " 

And  a  second  time  they  say,  "Hallelujah."  And 
her  smoke  goeth  up  for  ever  and  ever. 

And  the  four  and  twenty  elders  and  the  four  living 
creatures  fell  down  and  worshipped  God  that  sitteth 
on  the  throne,  saying,  "Amen;  Hallelujah." 
And  a  voice  came  forth  from  the  throne,  saying, 
"Give  praise  to  our  God,  all  ye  his  ser- 
vants,   YE    THAT    FEAR    HIM,    THE    SMALL    AND 
THE    GREAT. " 

And  I  heard  as  it  were  the  voice  of  a  great  multitude, 
and  as  the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of 
mighty  thunders,  saying, 

"Hallelujah:  for  the  Lord  our  God,  the 
Almighty,  reigneth.     Let  us  rejoice  and 


THE  WORD  OF  GOD  137 

be  exceeding  glad,  and  let  us  give  the 
glory  unto  him!  for  the  marriage  of  the 
Lamb  is  come,  and  his  wife  hath  made  her- 
self READY.     And  it  was  given    unto  her 

THAT  SHE  should  ARRAY  HERSELF  IN  FINE 
LINEN,  BRIGHT  AND  PURE:  FOR  THE  FINE  LINEN 
IS     THE      RIGHTEOUS     ACTS     OF     THE     SAINTS." 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "Write,  Blessed  are  they  that 
are  bidden  to  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb." 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "These  are  true  words  of 
God." 

And  I  fell  down  before  his  feet  to  worship  him.  And 
he  saith  unto  me,  "See  thou  do  it  not:  I  am  a  fellow- 
servant  with  thee  and  with  thy  brethren  that  hold  the 
testimony  of  Jesus:  worship  God:  for  the  testimony  of 
Jesus  is  the  spirit  of  prophecy." 

The  Word  of  God. 

And  I  saw  the  heaven  opened;  and  behold,  a  white 
horse,  and  he  that  sat  thereon  called  Faithful  and 
True;  and  in  righteousness  he  doth  judge  and  make 
war.  And  his  eyes  are  a  flame  of  fire,  and  upon  his 
head  are  many  d^dems;  and  he  hath  a  name  written 
which  no  one  knoweth  but  he  himself.  And  he  is  ar- 
rayed in  a  garment  sprinkled  with  blood :  and  his  name 
is  called  The  Word  of  God. 

And  the  armies  which  are  in  heaven  followed  him 
upon  white  horses,  clothed  in  fine  linen,  white  and  pure. 
And  out  of  his  mouth  proceedeth  a  sharp  sword,  that 
with  it  he  should  smite  the  nations:  and  he  shall  rule 
them  with  a  rod  of  iron :  and  he  treadeth  the  winepress 
of  the  fierceness  of  the  wrath  of  God,  the  Almighty. 
And  he  hath  on  his  garment  and  on  his  thigh  a  name 
written. 


King  of  Kings  and 
Lord  of  Lords. 


138  the  revelation  of  jesus  christ 

The  Carrion. 

And  I  saw  an  angel  standing  in  the  sun ;  and  he  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  saying  to  all  the  birds  that  fly  in 
mid  heaven,  "Come  and  be  gathered  together  unto  the 
great  supper  of  God ;  that  ye  may  eat  the  flesh  of  kings, 
and  the  flesh  of  captains,  and  the  flesh  of  mighty  men, 
and  the  flesh  of  horses  and  of  them  that  sit  thereon,  and 
the  flesh  of  all  men,  both  free  and  bond,  and  small  and 
great." 

The  Lake  of  Fire. 

And  I  saw  the  beast,  and  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and 
their  armies,  gathered  together  to  make  war  against 
him  that  sat  upon  the  horse,  and  against  his  army. 

And  the  beast  was  taken,  and  with  him  the  false 
prophet  that  wrought  the  signs  in  his  sight,  wherewith 
he  deceived  them  that  had  received  the  mark  of  the 
beast  and  them  that  worshipped  his  image;  they  two 
were  cast  alive  into  the  lake  of  fire  that  burneth  with 
brimstone:  and  the  rest  were  killed  with  the  sword  of 
him  that  sat  upon  the  horse,  even  the  sword  which 
came  forth  out  of  his  mouth:  and  a#  the  birds  were 
filled  with  their  flesh. 

Satan  Bound  a  Thousand  Years. 

And  I  saw  an  angel  coming  down  out  of  heaven, 
having  the  key  of  the  abyss  and  a  great  chain  in  his 
hand. 

And  he  laid  hold  on  the  dragon,  the  old  serpent, 
which  is  the  Devil  and  Satan,  and  bound  him  for  a 
thousand  years,  and  cast  him  into  the  abyss,  and  shut 
it,  and  sealed  it  over  him,  that  he  should  deceive  the 
nations  no  more,  until  the  thousand  years  should  be 
finished :  after  this  he  must  be  loosed  for  a  little  time. 


the  millennial  reign  139 

The  Millennial  Reign. 

And  I  saw  thrones,  and  they  sat  upon  them,  and 
judgment  was  given  unto  them:  and  I  saw  the  souls  of 
them  that  had  been  beheaded  for  the  testimony  of 
Jesus,  and  for  tlie  word  of  God,  and  such  as  worshipped 
not  the  beast,  neither  his  image,  and  received  not  the 
mark  upon  their  forehead  and  upon  their  hand;  and 
they  Hved,  and  reigned  with  Christ  a  thousand  years. 
The  rest  of  the  dead  Hved  not  until  the  thousand  years 
should  be  finished. 

This  is  the  first  resurrection.  Blessed  and  holy  is  he 
that  hath  part  in  the  first  resurrection:  over  these  the 
second  death  hath  no  power;  but  they  shall  be  priests 
of  God  and  of  Christ,  and  shall  reign  with  him  a  thou- 
sand 5^ears. 

The  Final  Conflict. 

And  when  the  thousand  years  are  finished,  Satan 
shall  be  loosed  out  of  his  prison,  and  shall  come  forth 
to  deceive  the  nations  which  are  in  the  four  corners  of 
the  earth,  Gog  and  Magog,  to  gather  them  together  to 
the  war:  the  number  of  whom  is  a§  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

And  they  went  up  over  the  breadth  of  the  earth,  and 
compassed  the  camp  of  the  saints  about,  and  the  be- 
loved city:  and  fire  came  down  out  of  heaven,  and  de- 
voured them.  And  the  devil  that  deceived  them  was 
cast  into  the  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  are  also 
the  beast  and  the  false  prophet ;  and  they  shall  be  tor- 
mented day  and  night  for  ever  and  ever. 

The  Judgment. 

And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  him  that  sat 
upon  it,  from  whose  face  the  earth  and  the  heaven 
fled  away;  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them. 
And  I  saw  the  dead,  the  great  and  the  small,  standing 
before  the  throne;  and  books  were  opened:  and  another 


140  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life:  and  the 
dead  were  judged  out  of  the  things  which  were  written 
in  the  books,  according  to  their  works. 

And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  that  were  in  it; "and 
death  and  Hades  gave  up  the  dead  that  were  in  them: 
and  they  were  judged  every  man  according  to  their 
works. 

And  death  and  Hades  were  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 
This  is  the  second  death,  even  the  lake  of  fire.  And 
if  any  was  not  found  written  in  the  book  of  life,  he  was 
cast  into  the  lake  of  fire. 

The  New  Heaven  and  New  Earth. 

And  I  saw  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth:  for  the 
first  heaven  and  the  first  earth  are  passed  away;  and 
the  sea  is  no  more.  And  I  saw  the  holy  city,  new  Jeru- 
salem, coming  down  out  of  heaven  from  God,  made 
ready  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband. 

And  I  heard  a  great  voice  out  of  the  throne  saying, 
"Behold,  the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and  he 
shall  dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  peoples, 
and  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their  God : 
and  he  shall  wipe  away  every  tear  from  their  eyes ;  and 
death  shall  be  no  more;  neither  shall  there  be  mourn- 
ing, nor  crying,  nor  pain,  any  more:  the  first  things 
are  passed  away." 

And  he  that  sitteth  on  the  throne  said,  "Behold,  I 
make  all  things  new." 

And  he  saith,  "Write:  for  these  words  are  faithful 
and  true."  And  he  said  unto  me,  "They  are  come  to 
pass.  I  am  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the  beginning 
and  the  end.  I  will  give  unto  him  that  is  athirst  of  the 
fountain  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  He  that  over- 
cometh  shall  inherit  these  things;  and  I  will  be  his  God, 
and  he  shall  be  my  son.  But  for  the  fearful,  and  un- 
believing, and  abominable,  and  murderers,  and  forni- 


THE   HOLY  CITY  141 

cators,  and  sorcerers,  and  idolaters,  and  all  liars,  their 
part  shall  be  in  the  lake  that  burneth  with  fire  and 
brimstone;  which  is  the  second  death." 

The  Holy  City. 

And  there  came  one  of  the  seven  angels  who  had  the 
seven  bowls,  who  were  laden  with  the  seven  last 
plagues;  and  he  spake  with  me,  saying,  "Come  hither, 
I  will  show  thee  the  bride,  the  wife  of  the  Lamb." 

And  he  carried  me  away  in  the  Spirit  to  a  mountain 
great  and  high,  and  showed  me  the  holy  city  Jerusalem, 
coming  down  out  of  heaven  from  God,  having  the  glory 
of  God:  her  light  was  like  unto  a  stone  most  precious, 
as  it  were  a  jasper  stone,  clear  as  crystal :  having  a  wall 
great  and  high;  having  twelve  gates,  and  at  the  gates 
twelve  angels;  and  names  written  thereon,  which  are 
the  names  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  the  children  of  Israel : 
on  the  east  were  three  gates;  and  on  the  north  three 
gates;  and  on  the  south  three  gates;  and  on  the  west 
three  gates. 

And  the  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve  foundations,  and 
on  them  twelve  names  of  the  twelve  apostles  of  the 
Lamb. 

And  he  that  spake  with  me  had  for  a  measure  a  golden 
reed  to  measure  the  city,  and  the  gates  thereof,  and  the 
wall  thereof.  And  the  city  lieth  foursquare,  and  the 
length  thereof  is  as  great  as  the  breadth :  and  he  meas- 
ured the  city  with  the  reed,  twelve  thousand  furlongs: 
the  length  and  the  breadth  and  the  height  thereof  are 
equal.  And  he  measured  the  wall  thereof,  a  hundred 
and  forty  and  four  cubits,  according  to  the  measure 
of  a  man,  that  is,  of  an  angel. 

And  the  building  of  the  wall  thereof  was  jasper:  and 
the  city  was  pure  gold,  like  unto  pure  glass.  The 
foundations  of  the  wall  of  the  city  were  adorned  with 
all  manner  of  precious  stones.     The  first  foundation 


142  THE   REVELATION   OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

was  jasper;  the  second,  sapphire;  the  third,  chalcedony; 
the  fourth,  emerald;  the  fifth,  sardonyx;  the  sixth, 
sardius;  the  seventh,  chrysolite;  the  eighth,  beryl; 
the  ninth,  topaz;  the  tenth,  chrysoprase;  the  eleventh, 
jacinth;  the  twelfth,-  amethyst.' 

And  the  twelve  gates  were  twelve  pearls;  each  one 
of  the  several  gates  was  of  one  pearl:  and  the  street  of 
the  city  was  pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass. 

And  I  saw  no  temple  therein:  for  the  Lord  God  the 
Almighty,  and  the  Lamb,  are  the  temple  thereof. 

And  the  city  hath  no  need  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the 
moon,  to  shine  upon  it :  for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten 
it,  and  the  lamp  thereof  is  the  Lamb.  And  the  nations 
shall  walk  amidst  the  light  thereof:  and  the  kings  of 
the  earth  bring  their  glory  into  it. 

And  the  gates  thereof  shall  in  no  wise  be  shut  by  day 
(for  there  shall  be  no  night  there) :  and  they  shall  bring 
the  glory  and  the  honor  of  the  nations  irwto  it:  and 
there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it  anything  unclean, 
or  he  that  maketh  an  abomination  and  a  lie:  but  only 
they  that  are  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life. 

The  River  of  Life. 

And  he  showed  me  a  river  of  water  of  life,  bright  as 
crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb,  in  the  midst  of  the  street  thereof.  And  on  this 
side  of  the  river  and  on  that  was  the  tree  of  life,  bear- 
ing twelve  manner  of  fruits,  yielding  its  fruit  every 
month:  and  the  leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations. 

And  there  shall  be  no  curse  any  more:  and  the  throne 
of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  therein:  and  his  ser- 
vants shall  serve  him;  and  they  shall  see  his  face;  and 
his  name  shall  be  on.  their  foreheads. 

And  there  shall  be  night  no  more;  and  they  need  no 
light  of  lamp,  neither  light  of  sun;  for  the  Lord  God 


FAITHFUL  AND  TRUE  143 

shall  give  them  light :  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and 
ever. 

Faithful  and  True. 

And  he  said  unto  me,  "These  words  are  faithful  and 
true :  and  the  Lord,  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  the  prophets, 
sent  his  angel  to  show  unto  his  servants  the  things 
which  must  shortly  come  to  pass.  And  behold,  I 
come  quickly.  Blessed  is  he  that  keepeth  the  words 
of  the  prophecy  of  this  book." 

And  I  John  am  he  that  heard  and  saw  these  things. 
And  when  I  heard  and  saw,  I  fell  down  to  worship 
before  the  feet  of  the  angel  that  showed  me  these  things. 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "See  thou  do  it  not:  I  am  a 
fellow-servant  with  thee  and  with  thy  brethren  the 
prophets,  and  with  them  that  keep  the  words  of  this 
book:  worship  God." 

The  Alpha  and  Omega. 

And  he  saith  unto  me,  "Seal  not  up  the  words  of  the 
prophecy  of  this  book;  for  the  time  is  at  hand.  He 
that  is  imrighteous,  let  him  do  unrighteousness  still: 
and  he  that  is  filthy,  let  him  be  made  filthy  still:  and 
he  that  is  righteous,  ■  let  him  do  righteousness  still : 
and  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  made  holy  still. 

"Behold,  I  come  quickly;  and  my  reward  is  with  me, 
to  render  to  each  man  according  as  his  work  is.  I  am 
the  Alpha  and  the  Omega,  the  first  and  the  last,  the 
beginning  and  the  end. 

"Blessed  are  they  that  wash  their  robes,  that  they 
may  have  the  right  to  come  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may 
enter  in  by  the  gates  into  the  city.  Without  are  the 
dogs,  and  the  sorcerers,  and  the  fornicators,  and  the 
murderers,  and  the  idolaters,  and  every  one  that  loveth 
and  maketh  a  lie. 

"I  Jesus  have  sent  mine  angel  to  testify  unto  you 


144  THE   REVELATION    OF  JESUS   CHRIST 

these  things  for  the  churches.     I  am  the  root  and  the 
offspring  of  David,  the  bright,  the  morning  star." 

Invitation  and  Warning. 

And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  "Come."  And 
he  that  heareth,  let  him  say,  "Come."  And  he  that 
is  athirst,  let  him  come:  he  that  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely. 

I  testify  unto  every  man  that  heareth  the  words  of 
the  prophecy  of  this  book,  "If  any  man  shall  add  unto 
them,  God  shall  add  unto  him  the  plagues  which  are 
written  in  this  book :  and  if  any  man  shall  take  away 
from  the  words  of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall 
take  away  his  part  from  the  tree  of  life,  and  out  of  the 
holy  city,  which  are  written  in  this  book." 

He  who  testifieth  these  things  saith,  "Yea:  I  come 
quickly," 

Amen:  come,  Lord  Jesus. 

The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with  the  saints. 
Amen. 


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,^       BS190.A151906 

■^       His  friends;  the  story  of  the  immediate 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


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